Khaleda condemns Inqilab raid

Staff Correspondent, DHAKA, Jan 17: Condemning the police raid at Bengali daily Inqilab headquarter, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has demanded the release of journalists arrested from there.

She made the demand in a statement issued in Friday evening.

“The government has sealed off the press with an intention to disrupt the publication of the newspaper,” the BNP Chairperson said in the statement.

Detective Branch of police last night raided the office of the Bengali daily and picked up three journalists, sealed off the press, plate-making and server rooms, and seized three computers.

Condemning the arrest of three journalists of Inqilab and sealing off of its printing press, Khaleda Zia said: “Freedom of expression and freedom of press is the democratic right in a democratic society. Such heinous activities for repressing the opposition party and its opinion are not a good sign for democracy.”

She added: “People’s rights are being snatched during the ruling government’s regime in a fascist way.

She also called for unconditional release of all journalists including Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.

The newspaper said a team of around 25 policemen raided the office inside the seven-storey Inqilab building on RK Mission Road around 8:00pm Thursday and left at 10:15pm with the journalists.

The journalists who were picked up last night are News Editor Rabiullah Rabi, Deputy Chief Reporter Rafiq Mohammad and Diplomatic Correspondent Ahmed Atique.

A case was filed against publisher, editor, chief news editor and a reporter under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006 with Wari police.

risingbd/Reza/Augustin Sujan