Nurul Amin Khan Sylhet Divisional Bureau Chief: A human chain was held in Sylhet on Wednesday in protest against what participants described as false and harassing cases filed against four journalists, including the editor and news editor of the national daily Agrojatra Protidin.

The protest was organised following the publication of reports in Agrojatra Protidin alleging corruption and irregularities involving controversial State Minister Mir Shahe Alam.

The human chain took place at 4:00 pm on June 17 at the historic Court Point in Sylhet city. Local journalists and leaders of civil society organisations participated in the programme.

Speakers at the event said that press freedom cannot be ensured unless journalists and media outlets are allowed to work independently and without intimidation. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the “false and harassing” cases filed against the editor and journalists of Agrojatra Protidin.

They also called for guaranteeing professionalism and security for journalists across the country, warning that repression and harassment of media professionals would not be tolerated. The speakers said that a stronger movement would be launched if the cases were not withdrawn immediately.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Faizul Haque Shimul, editor and publisher of the weekly Samaychitra and Sylhet Bureau Chief of Agrojatra Protidin; senior journalist Ruhul Islam Mithu; journalist Sunirmal Sen, founding president of the Sylhet Divisional Reporters Club; Kamal Khan, central organising secretary of the Society of National Media Commission; Nizam Uddin, Sylhet correspondent of Dainik Ain Barta; Md. Nurul Amin Khan, editor of View News 71.com and Sylhet Divisional Bureau Chief of Daily Business Mirror and Daily Alor Barta; Md. Sohag Mia, Sylhet city correspondent of Dainik Matrijagat; Shihab Uddin, Sylhet correspondent of the weekly Tadanta Report; district correspondent Ashik Uddin; Swapan Malakar Shiba, staff reporter of Dainik Sorejomin; photojournalist Rubel Mia of Alokito Sylhet; Faruk Mia, Sylhet correspondent of Channel 16; S.A. Sabbir Khan, Biswanath correspondent of Samaychitra; and Mohiuddin Jewel, Doarabazar correspondent of Agrojatra Protidin, among others.

The protesters reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the cases and the protection of journalists’ rights and press freedom in Bangladesh.