Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (BIJF) demanded immediate release of Prothom Alo Senior Correspondent Rozina Islam and punishment of those who assaulted and harassed her at the Secretariat.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, BIJF President BIJF President Mojahedul Islam and general secretary Hasan Zakir also expressed deep concern over the harassment and arrest of Rozina Islam.

Terming the incident as unexpected and extremely disgraceful, they said freedom of the press was curtailed by detaining, harassing and handing her over to police. 

According to the BIJF, the image of the government has also been tarnished through the incident. 

It is the duty of the government to ensure independent journalism and the safety of journalists for its sake as journalists play role in ensuring good governance and accountability, the BIJF said.

The forum of the ICT journalists demanded immediate withdrawn of the case filed against Rozina Islam.

Earlier on Monday, Prothom Alo’s senior journalist Rozina was kept confined in a room for five hours at the secretariat as she went there for professional purposes. Her mobile phone was taken away as well. At one stage, Rozina fell sick.
However, instead of hospital, the journalist was taken to Shahbagh police station. After being detained at the police station all night, she was taken to a Dhaka court on Tuesday morning. Later, the court sent her to jail.

BDST: 1816 HRS, May 19, 2021
SMS