Journo beaten, cop closed

An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Detective Branch (DB) of police in Barguna has been closed to the district Police Lines on charge of beating a TV journalist.

ASI Md Ripon was closed yesterday, said Md Tofayel Ahmed, acting superintendent of police.

The victim is Maleq Mithu, Barguna district correspondent of DBC TV.

Mithu said when he tried to enter Barguna Zila School in the town around 9:00am to cover the news of SSC examinations that started yesterday, ASI Ripon obstructed him. At one stage, the ASI beat the journalist following an altercation over entering the school.

On information, Abir Mohammad Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Barguna Sadar Police Station, and Rafiqul Islam, OC (inquiry) of the police station, rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the angry ASI.

But at that time, Ripon again beat the journalist in presence of the OCs.

Soon after the incident, Barguna Press Club arranged an emergency meeting. Later, the leaders of the press club submitted a written complaint to the superintendent of police (SP) seeking lawful steps against the DB ASI.

After getting the complaint, SP Tofayel Ahmed closed Ripon to the Police Lines.

A three-member probe body, headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Nazmul Islam, has been formed to investigate the incident. The committee was asked to submit report within next seven days.

Lawful steps will be taken against Ripon if the probe finds him guilty, said the SP.