Sampadak Parishad demands withdrawal of case against Kurigram journalist

Sampadak Parishad (Editors' Council) has demanded withdrawal of a case filed against journalist Ariful Islam, who was arrested from home in the dead of night and jailed for one-year yesterday.

The council also demanded that the authorities concerned withdraw Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sultana Pervin and take departmental action against her, said a statement issued by Sampadak Parishad today.

Condemning the arrest and imprisonment of Ariful, the council expressed deep concern over the incident.

A mobile court under a taskforce of Kurigram district administration sentenced Ariful Islam, Kurigram correspondent of Bangla Tribune, to one-year imprisonment early yesterday after he was arrested from his home on charges of "possessing narcotics".

Sampadak Parishad was shocked over the incident, it said in the statement.

The council also conveyed worries over the disappearance of Dhaka reporter Shafiqul Islam Kajol.

It hoped that the authorities concerned will locate him and hand him over to his family.

Sampadak Parishad condemned the attack on Bangladesh Pratidin journalist Mahbubul Haque and vandalising of his house.