Another journalist tortured by ruling party men in Bangladesh

By Jahangir Alam Akash, Another journalist Saidur Rahman Nazu was tortured by a ruling party leader at Puthia under Rajshahi district in Bangladesh on 17th August, 2009. He was admitted to the local health complex. But, after continuously threatening he was flew from the local hospital. And now he is in the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH). Still the perpetrator has giving threat to him. In this situation, Mr. Nazu has feared about his security. Journalist Nazu is working for news agency of News Network of Bangladesh (NNB). And he is well known journalist in Rajshahi region.Sources said that, journalist Saidur Rahman Nazu was attacked by the leader of Abdul Malek and his associates. Mr. Malek is the general secretary of ruling party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) Puthia municipality unit. Journalist Nazu was came at Puthia bazaar on 17th August, 2009 at morning. In that time Mr. Makek and his associates were attacked on Nazu. They were kicking, slapping and beating to him. So, he was severely injured. Local peoples took him to the Puthia health complex hurray. The perpetrator took mobile set and important documents from Nazu.After happened this incident local journalists asked to Mr. Malek about the event. Then he told that, ‘Nazu is a bloody man. On Sunday (16th August) he asked to our member of parliament (MP) Abdul Oadud Dara about so-called four lac taka bribe taken from someone. For this, we were beaten him. Again we beat him. Because still his punish has not enough. We heard that he has been admitted in the hospital. We go to hospital.’ Local MP Mr. Dara said to the journalists, ‘journalist tortured is not wise decisions. I will take serious action against the perpetrators.’ But, Mr. Dara were took Mr. Malek with his car and gone from the spot.Not only that, after that some supporters of local MP were came to the local Puthia health complex led by Awlad. Mr. Awlad is the general secretary of ruling party youth front Jubo League Puthia unit. They tried to taken journalist Nazu and go outside from hospital for several times. For security reson Nazu was flew from the local hospital and admitted in the RMCH.Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) president Hasan Millat and general secretary Shiblee Noman only gave their condemn and wants to punish the perpetrator about the said tortured incident. But, we think that this is not enough from RUJ as a journalist community organization or a trade union. Although we understand that, the perpetrator is belong with ruling party and the RUJ leaders also believe with same party. So, how could they take big programme? If the perpetrator was belong with opposition then the RUJ leaders will take big demonstration. See more information about journalists killings-tortured in Bangladesh: http://www.humanrightstoday.info/?p=827When I was the general secretary of RUJ I was totally illegally victimized by state as well as some corrupted political leaders including Awami League. In that time also the RUJ leaders were nothing to do about press freedom. So, please visit and see the problem of press freedom in Bangladesh: http://www.humanrightstoday.info/?p=931Today I was searched in internet the newspapers of Bangladesh. But, I didn’t found the news about tortured of journalist Nazu. It is very unfortunate for press freedom.As a professional journalist I urge that, please come and unit for our press freedom and should forget your political fascination. Otherwise, every day will hamper the press freedom. We demand to the present government, please should arrest and punish the perpetrator those who were involved with journalist’s killings and torturing. 18-08-2009 Editor: The Human Rights Today