'Midnight raid at journalist Ariful's home unlawful'

The midnight raid at the house of news portal Bangla Tribune's Kurigram correspondent Ariful Islam Rigan was unlawful, said Additional Divisional Commissioner (general) of Rangpur Zakir Hossain.

He made this comment at Rangpur divisional office today morning.

A probe committee has been formed in this matter with Additional Divisional Commissioner Abu Taher Md Masud Rana as its convener, he added.

The official also said, "The probe committee investigated in different areas from Saturday afternoon to midnight. The committee will submit a report within today afternoon. After receiving the report, it will be sent to the ministry concerned. Action will be taken against the people who are involved in the incident based on the report."

Photo: TBS

Earlier on Friday, a taskforce of police, executive magistrate and Ansar members attacked and entered Ariful Islam Rigan's home at Charuapara around midnight and beaten him. They took him to Deputy Commissioner's office forcefully. Then, a mobile court sentenced him to one year in jail and fined him Tk50,000 for possessing illegal drugs.

Ariful has been released from jail following a district court order granting him bail today afternoon.