‘Free Rozina’

Calls for unconditional release of Prothom Alo's investigative reporter Rozina Islam, who was arrested on Monday in a case filed under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, continue to grow louder throughout the country. 

Criticising and condemning the arrest, journalists yesterday threatened to continue the protests until Rozina is released.

Journalists from different platforms in the capital held human chains and protest rallies at Jatiya Press Club and Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Both factions of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU), Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF), Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK), and Bangladesh Photo Journalist Association held the programmes.

Alleging that Rozina was trapped and tortured, BSRF president Tapan Biswas demanded her release and exemplary punishment for those involved in torturing her.

"It was a plot against Rozina… I've two questions -- police and admin officers took six hours to lodge a complaint. What was the reason behind the six-hour delay? What grave offence did she commit?"

"The health minister said she stole a secret document of the government. How important was that file? It's a conspiracy to trap Rozina. I believe she is innocent," he said.

BSRF general secretary Shamim Ahamed called for ensuring congenial atmosphere for journalists in the secretariat to prevent any such conspiracy against journalists.

Former president of a faction of BFUJ Shawkat Mahmud alleged that the government was against independent journalism and favoured corruptors.

"The government was angry at Rozina as she revealed its corruption. To muzzle her voice, she was tortured and sent to jail without bail," he said.

Meanwhile at the DRU rally, Prothom Alo associate editor Anisul Hoque said journalists of the country have united and they want withdrawal of the case against Rozina as well as punishment of the harassers.

Jatiya Press Club general secretary Elias Khan said journalists are facing the wrath of the administration for publishing stories on corruption.

"If the case against Rozina is not withdrawn, we'll go for a tougher movement," he warned.

Terming the health ministry's probe committee farcical, DRU president Morsalin Nomani said, "Officials who attacked Rozina will investigate the incident. We reject the committee."

DRU general secretary Moshiur Rahman said, "We are professional journalists. We don't want to hold protests on roads. We want immediate release of Rozina."

Besides Dhaka, journalists from across the country held protests, demanding immediate release of Rozina, report our local correspondents.

They formed human chains and held rallies in front of their respective press clubs in Savar, Munshiganj, Chapainawabganj, Sylhet and Benapole and vowed to continue protests until Rozina gets justice.