Somoy TV’s backpack seized

Police this evening seized a portable video transmission backpack of Somoy Television near the Gulshan office of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Dhaka.

A unit of Somoy TV was inside the office for most of the time since January 6 for covering live in case of any instant development in the politically charged situation, Ehsan Jewel, a senior reporter of the private TV channel, told The Daily Star.

“Office has decided to withdraw the unit as possibility of getting any important development is not there,” he added.

Contacted, Rafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Gulshan Police Station, acknowledged the incident saying they were examining the device if there was any sensitive element in it.

“The members of Special Branch of police took it when a security man of Khaleda Zia passed it to me from inside the office around 5:30pm,” said Shathila Shermin, a reporter of the channel. 

Shermin said she was told by Gulshan police around 7:00pm that the backpack was taken to the police station for examination.