DB Police pick up journalist from his home at midnight

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) picked up Mizanur Rahman Sohel, online editor of the daily Bhorer Kagoj, from his residence in Uttar Badda, Dhaka.

He was taken away around midnight on Tuesday (18 November). At roughly the same time, DB also detained Abu Saeed Piyas, general secretary of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh. The matter was confirmed by Additional Commissioner (DB) Shafiqul Islam.

When contacted, he said that Mizanur Rahman Sohel had taken responsibility for arranging a press conference on a particular issue. His name appeared beside the name of president Aslam on the official pad of Mobile Business Community Bangladesh. After interrogation, he was returned to his family early in the morning.

Responding to a question, he stated that Piyas was still being interrogated.

Regarding the detention of Mizanur Rahman Sohel and Piyas, Rana of Mobile Business Community Bangladesh told গণমাধ্যম that a press conference had been arranged regarding certain specific demands. At such a time, picking up Sohel and Piyas was a despicable act by the government. He demanded Piyas’s immediate release.

It has been learned that the government was preparing to introduce the NEIR (National Equipment Identity Register) system, or mobile handset registration process, without any discussion with general smartphone retailers. As a result, small traders fear losing their businesses.

To present their demands and build public opinion, a press conference was scheduled for Wednesday (19 November) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity. As a journalist, Mizanur Rahman Sohel had been advising the traders regarding the event.

Meanwhile, the Online Editors Alliance strongly condemned the act of taking a journalist from his home at midnight without a warrant. The organisation stated that if the DB chief had wanted to speak to him, he could have been summoned during the day or sent a notice— he would have appeared voluntarily. Taking him away after midnight creates a frightening situation, which is unacceptable in present-day Bangladesh.

Journalist leaders had demanded that Mizanur Rahman Sohel be returned home with due respect without delay.

Khaborwala/TSN