Natore MP Shimul's supporters burn Jugantor newspaper in protest

Supporters of Natore MP Shafiqul Islam Shimul held a protest march and rally by burning a copy of the Bangla daily Jugantor protesting the publishing of a news report on allegation of illegal wealth acquisition.

In the protest rally, Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders threatened to break the arms and legs of Shahidul Haque Sarkar, the district correspondent of Jugantor and declared Shahidul Haque Sarkar a "persona non grata" at the press club.

On Tuesday, Daily Jugantar published news claiming MP Shimul has bought two luxury houses in Natore and Begumpara, Canada in his wife's name with corruption money. In addition, he kept money in different banks in the country and Canada under the name of his wife, relatives, and representatives.

Jubo League and Chhatra League leaders and supporters of MP Shimul staged a protest at Kanaikhali Old Bassand area of the town around 5:00pm today over the report.

Former general secretary of Natore district BCL Riazul Islam Masum, Joint General Secretary of Naldanga upazila AL Touhidur Rahman Liton, General Secretary of Natore Sadar upazila Jubo League Zillur Rahman Alamgir, General President of Natore Sadar upazila Jubo League Abdur Razzak Dablu, former Natore district Chhatra League president Mostarul Islam, and District Jubo League President Bashirur Rahman Khan Chowdhury Ehiya spoke at the rally, among others.

The speakers claimed that the news published in Jugantor was false and fabricated and alleged that the district correspondent of Jugantor published the news after taking money from an adversary.

At the rally, Touhidur Rahman Liton said, "The hand of journalist Shahidul who wrote such dirty words should be broken."

Mostarul Islam Alam said, "Journalist Shahidul Haque is a Jamaat activist. That's why he purposely published the news against MP Shimul."

Later, a copy of Jugantor newspaper was burnt under the leadership of Habibur Rahman Khan Chunnu, general secretary of Natore Municipal AL.

Shahidul Haque Sarkar, Natore district correspondent of Daily Jugantar said, "The news was done with professionalism and impartiality. There is no opportunity for bias or false news."

Expressing security concerns about the threats from the Awami League-Jubo League gathering, he said he did not expect such a reaction due to the news.

Shafiqul Islam Shimul, MP of Natore-2 constituency, said the leaders and activists were angry and protested. He did not know of this beforehand.

However, he said he will file a case against the authorities of Jugantor newspaper and Natore district correspondent Shahidul Haque Sarkar under the Digital Security Act.