Torture of Kurigram journo: 3 assistant commissioners withdrawn

Three assistant commissioners, who were allegedly involved in torturing Kurigram journalist Ariful Islam were withdrawn this noon.

They are: senior assistant commissioner Nazim Uddin, assistant commissioner Rintu Bikash Chakma and assistant commissioner SM Rahatul Islam of Kurigram.

A circular, signed by AM Al Amin, senior assistant secretary of Ministry of Public Administration, was received by Kurigram Deputy Commissioner's officer around 11:00am, our Lalmonirhat correspondent reports quoting officials.

They officials were attached to Ministry of Public Administration, the circular reads. 

A mobile court under a taskforce of Kurigram district administration led by the three assistant commissioners sentenced Ariful to one-year imprisonment early Saturday after he was arrested from his home on charges of possessing narcotics.  

Ariful, Kurigram correspondent of Bangla Tribune, was released on bail yesterday morning.

He narrated the gruelling hours of torture to fellow reporters at Kurigram General Hospital, where he was being treated.  

"'You will be put in a crossfire. Your time is up. Recite the kalima.' I thought they were taking me somewhere to kill me."

These were the words of Ariful as he described being held and tortured by Senior Assistant Commissioner Nazim Uddin.

Orthopaedic Senior Consultant Uttam Kumar Roy of Kurigram General hospital said there were multiple injury marks on Ariful's body.

The incident was widely reported in the media and the authorities withdrew Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sultana Pervin, who, according to Ariful, ordered the raid.