DNC accused of framing journo

Family members and colleagues have accused the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in Khulna of arresting a local journalist in a “false” drug case.

They have been demonstrating since DNC arrested MA Jalil, senior reporter of local daily Khulnanchal, from his Musalman Para residence in the city on Sunday on charge of possessing Phensedyl.

Journalists alleged that he was framed in the case.

At a human chain in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday, they rejected the case statement that says a plastic bag containing 10 bottles of Phensedyl was found near a window outside his house.

Parvin Akhter -- inspector of DNC in Khulna -- who led the drive, told The Daily Star, “Sensing our presence, Jalil threw away the bottles through the window.”

Besides, when they knocked on the gate of Jalil’s house, his wife tried to flee, said the inspector.

Statements of two neighbours -- Md Shahidul Islam and Akhter Hossain, who were made eyewitnesses in the case -- contradicted the case statement.

Contacted, Shahidul said, “During the drive, I found a black bag with Phensedyl inside the house.” Akhter echoed the same.

Both witnesses said they were called by the DNC team after it had entered the house. They should have been called before the raid, both of them said.

The case statement says according to official rule, the team members entered the house after they had been checked by the witnesses to confirm that they had no contraband drugs.

The witnesses, however, said the team did not comply with the process.

Inspector Parvin Akhter denied the allegations.

Upon a visit to Jalil’s house, this correspondent did not find enough space of the window through which a bag of that size could be thrown. Jalil’s wife Runa Begum said she did not try to flee, but went back to her room to bring keys to open the gate.

Sonali Otit Club, a local sports organisation, yesterday formed a human chain at the city’s Picture palace intersection, demanding Jalil’s release.

Besides, various journalist organisations -- including the press club, Khulna Union of Journalists, and Khulna Reporters’ Unity – issued statements seeking his release.