BUTA condemns Rozina Islam’s harassment
The association also demanded a fair investigation of the incident and punishment of the accused people behind the incident
Barishal University Teachers' Association has expressed concerns over harassment, physical and mental torture on Prothom Alo Senior Journalist Rozina Islam and condemned such incident taking place inside the Secretariat.
The association also demanded a fair investigation of the incident and punishment of the accused people behind the incident.
A statement by the association said that "a journalist who had been mentally and physically abused and tortured for a long time in a top administrative office like the Secretariat is a manifestation of unprofessional behavior. This incident is giving a wrong message to the general public and abroad about the image of Bangladesh and the existing freedom of the country's media".
Rozina Islam was detained for allegedly taking snapshots of an official document at the Secretariat without due permission.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon when Rozina went to the health ministry inside the Secretariat as part of professional duty around 3:30 pm. At one stage, she was locked in a room there and her mobile phone was confiscated.
Hours after detention, the case has been filed against her under the Official Secrets Act.
Health Services Division's (HSD) Deputy Secretary Sibbir Ahmed Osmani filed the case with Shahbagh police station on Monday midnight, said Harunur Rashid, additional deputy commissioner (Ramna Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
Two more charges were brought against the senior journalist under 379 and 411 sections of the penal code.