Press Statement

Bangladesh police beat TV journalist

28 Aug, 2014

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) condemn the beating of a journalist by police in Kushtia in Khulna district in Western Bangladesh on Tuesday, August 26.

According to reports, Akhil Poddar, a special correspondent with private channel ETV, was beaten by police before being handcuffed and led away to the police station.

Poddar alleged Kumarkhali Police Assistant Sub-inspector (ASI) Abul Kalam Azad and other policemen attacked him and another reporter of Mohona TV. They were stopped by a police patrol and were subjected to swearing before the police threatened to charge them.

After hearing of the incident, local journalists went to the police station and took Poddar and the local correspondent of Mohona TV to the Upazila Health Complex.

The IFJ understands that Kumarkhali Police Chief Lutfar Rahman apologised on behalf of his colleagues while Additional Superintendent of Police Abu Bakar Siddique promised departmental steps against the policemen involved.

Jane Worthington, the IFJ Asia Pacific deputy director said: “We strongly condemn the actions of the police in attacking these journalists while they were simply performing their duty.. This incident highlights the attitudes against journalists in the community and the challenges that journalists must overcome each day to deliver the news.  We urge the thorough investigation into the matter and for the offending officers to be stood down or face disciplinary action to ensure such events do not recur.”

Written By

IFJ Asia-Pacific IFJ Asia-Pacific

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 140 countries.
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