Journalist victimised

The highhandedness of the police in dealing with Prothom Alo's Baufal correspondent ABM Mizanur Rahman leaves us dumbstruck. The High Court (HC) has issued a rule asking why the inhuman physical and mental torture perpetrated on Mizanur Rahman in police custody would not be declared illegal. The police authorities have been asked to show cause in two weeks "as to why the law enforcers responsible for torturing" the correspondent should not be punished. We think a safeguard is implied for the victim against further torture in the two-week period.

We are aghast to witness the mentality of certain law enforcers in that they believe they are well within their rights to frame a member of the press who had dared to argue with them. In this particular case, a small tiff which appeared to have been resolved ended up being an attempted reprisal by the police.

Mizanur Rahman was remanded for 14 days by a Patuakhali court although he could hardly stand up and displayed signs of physical torture. It is heartening to hear that a medical board has been ordered to be formed under the guidance of the civil surgeon to look into Mizanur Rahman's physical condition. The board is to present its findings by March 31. This is not the first time a member of the press has been tortured by law enforcers. Journalists, particularly in the outlying areas, have been often found vulnerable to maltreatment and high-handed behaviour of the police in honest and diligent pursuit of their professional responsibilities.