Student leader threatens to lock up journalists if live broadcasts continue

In Rajshahi, a leader of an anti-discrimination student movement threatened to lock up journalists if they did not stop their live broadcasts and leave the venue. Facing strong protests from journalists, he later expressed regret. The incident took place on Monday (1 December) afternoon at the Tourism Motel in Rajshahi city.

The student leader has been identified as Soaeb Ahmed.

Following the mass uprising, several allegations surfaced against him. He had reportedly tied two women to an electric pole and tortured them in the Asam Colony area of the city. He was also involved in throwing stones at a train while standing in a queue. He is known to associate with several leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the city.

According to journalists, the NCP’s Rajshahi district convening committee was announced last Saturday. The following day, Sunday, one member resigned from the committee. Later that night, several July Fighters held a press conference accusing the newly appointed convenor Saiful Islam of being aligned with the Awami camp and demanded his resignation. Amid this tension, the NCP arranged an introductory meeting for the new district committee on Monday afternoon.

As the situation intensified, journalists arrived at the Tourism Motel. There, five more committee members announced their resignations in front of the journalists and reiterated the demand for Saiful Islam’s removal. The journalists then went to the meeting venue to speak with Saiful Islam about the allegations.

Some journalists were broadcasting live when Soaeb Ahmed entered the room with another individual and said, “Journalists must leave immediately, or everyone will be locked inside.” He also made several objectionable remarks, which angered the journalists.

When the journalists protested, Soaeb quickly exited the conference room. The journalists followed him outside and confronted him. A brief moment of tension arose, after which the police intervened to calm the situation. Soaeb eventually expressed regret for his comments.

Earlier, while the introductory meeting was under way, Soaeb and several young men entered the motel shouting “Action, action, direct action.” Staff members informed them that 53 guests were inside and such slogans could cause panic. They were then asked to go outside, where they continued chanting.

Speaking to journalists, NCP’s district convenor Saiful Islam said he had no affiliation with the Awami camp. He stated that he was previously associated with the Zia Parishad and later with the National Reform Movement.

Responding to queries about the threat against journalists, NCP’s city convenor Mobasher Ali said, “The boy moves with us, but he has no position in the NCP. He is a leader of the anti-discrimination student movement. He is young and spoke thoughtlessly.”

Khaborwala/SS