Journalist receives death threats in Noakhali; human chain held against BNP leader

District Representative

Abdul Quader Jasim, former general secretary of Batiya Union BNP, has been accused of publicly threatening to kill and ‘break’ Daily Janabani journalist Mohammad Shahid’s arms and legs for publishing news in Kabirhat, Noakhali.

Journalists working in Noakhali formed a human chain demanding administrative and organizational action against the BNP leader accused in the incident.

This human chain was held on the road in front of the Noakhali Press Club today, Tuesday, September 15, at noon under the banner of journalists from print and electronic media working in Noakhali.

Journalists working in various print, electronic and online media outlets in the district participated in the human chain program.

Speakers at the human chain alleged that Abdul Quader Jasim, former general secretary of Batiya Union BNP, has been spreading party influence in the area for a long time and has been carrying out drug trafficking, extortion and terrorist activities. Several victims have complained to the police station and law enforcement agencies about these activities at different times.

The speakers said that on September 6, a woman named Marjahan Begum filed a written complaint with Kabirhat Police Station. In the complaint, she claimed that Abdul Quader Jasim took one lakh taka from her by promising to resolve a land dispute. Later, the money was embezzled without resolving the dispute. The woman also alleged that she was abused and intimidated when she asked for the money back.

Journalist Mohammad Shahid published news about the incident on the online and digital platforms of his organization, Daily Janabani. After that, Abdul Quader Jasim publicly threatened to kill journalist Shahid, including ‘breaking his hands and legs and crippling him’. Even before the human chain, journalist Mohammad Shahid was threatened through various media not to join the human chain.

The district BNP top leaders were called upon to take organizational action against Abdul Quader Jasim for threatening journalists from the human chain. At the same time, the journalists strongly demanded that the administration arrest him and bring him under the law.

Meanwhile, journalist Mohammad Shahid said – The people of the area are fed up with BNP leader Abdul Quader Jasim’s drug dealing, extortion and terrorist activities. Since the news was published against him based on information and evidence, Jasim and his fellow terrorists have been threatening to kill him and his family members. In addition, Jasim and his people are spreading false propaganda against him through various media, including social media Facebook, to tarnish his reputation.

In this regard, District BNP convener Mahbub Alamgir Alo said that the allegations against Abdul Quader Jasim have come to the attention of the District BNP. After investigating the truth of the allegations, organizational action will be taken against him.