CUJ leaders’ ultimatum to lawmaker

CHITTAGONG, Oct 23: The journalist leaders of Chittagong have demanded of the ruling party lawmaker Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury to seek apology to staff reporter of the Daily Purbadesh Rahul Das Nayan for threatening him.

They have given a 72-hour ultimatum to apologise to Nayan, otherwise stronger programmes would be announced.

They alleged at a protest meeting in front of Chittagong Press Club on Sunday that the lawmaker from Banskhali constituency Mostafiz threatened Rahul Das Nayan when he went to the Banskhali UNO office to gather information for news coverage recently.

President of Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) Reaz Hyder Chowdhury said it is very unfortunate that the ruling Awami League MP threatened a reporter during his assignment at Banskhali at a time when the prime minister herself has been speaking in favour of press freedom.

He warned that effigy of the lawmaker would be burnt in front of Chittagong Press Club and the office of the MP would be gheraod if he does not seek apology to Nayan within the next three days.

Reaz Hyder Chowdhury, also general secretary of the Chittagong Professionals Unity Council, urged the Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to ensure security for the journalists.

The meeting was also addressed by CUJ general secretary Mohammed Ali, M Nasirul Huq, Mostaq Ahmed, Abu Taher Mohammed, Ali Abbas, Nazimuddin Shyamol, M Shamsul Islam, Shahidullah Shahriar, Ayub Ali, Sabur Shuva, Swarup Bhattachajee, Babul Chowdhury, Abdur Rauf Patwary, Masudul Haque, Anindya Titu, Preetam Das and victim Rahul Das Nayan.

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