Journalists across the country have demanded justice for journalist Ariful Islam who was illegally arrested and sentenced to one year in prison.
The demonstration is ongoing for the second consecutive day protesting the arrest of Ariful.
Ariful was arrested from his house at midnight and was sentenced to a one-year jail term illegally.
Our correspondents from Tangail, Dinajpur, Noakhali, Laksmipur, and Sunamganj reported on Sunday (Mar 15), journalists of those areas formed human chains in front of the respective district press clubs and demanded punishment of those involved in the matter.
Moreover, reporters under the banner of Online Journalists' Association of Pirojpur demonstrated against Ariful's assault in Town Club of Pirojpur district.
Reporters' Unity of Satkhira held a protest rally at New Market area of the district.
Meherpur Press Club President Fazlul Haque Montu and General Secretary in a joint statement condemned the arrest and torture, and demanded the culprits should be brought to book immediately.
Journalists of Comilla also protested in front of Kandirpara Town-hall, echoing the same demands. They raised questions against the Kurigram district authorities, asking why no official of the narcotics control department was present during the so-called drive as they brought out allegations against Ariful of possessing drugs.
Even the mayor of the area was yet to be notified. The district authority came up with their illegal step for the sake of personal vengeance.
Journalists also formed a human chain in front of Sreepur upazila parishad office of Gazipur. The journalist leaders of Gazipur said that such behavior from the administration was totally unexpected. They compared the incident with Ariful with gagging freedom of press.
Addressing the punishment given to the journalist by mobile court as an authoritarian manner of administration, journalists of Sunamganj demanded ensuring safety and security of the journalists across the country.
Ariful, Kurigram district correspondent for Dhaka Tribune and online news portal Bangla Tribune, was sent to jail early Saturday (Mar 14), soon after the mobile court set up at the office of the Kurigram deputy commissioner (DC), ended the trial proceedings.
The mobile court said they had recovered drugs and alcohol from the journalist's residence, which his family termed absurd.
In another development, the Ministry of Public Administration (MOPA) said Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sultana Pervin will be withdrawn, as evidence of picking up and torturing journalist Ariful Islam was found to be true.
“Departmental action will also be taken against her (Sultana Pervin) in this regard,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said at a press conference held at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Sunday.
Journalist Ariful Islam has been subjected to torture, a physician at Kurigram General Hospital said while treating him afterAriful got bail.
"He bore injury marks on his body," Orthopaedic Senior Consultant Uttam Kumar Roy said on Sunday.