Journalists across Bangladesh demand Rozina’s release

Journalists form a human chain in Sirajganj protesting at the arrest of Prothom Alo senior journalist Rozina Islam and demand her immediate release on Wednesday. — New Age Photo

The journalist community in Bangladesh on Wednesday continued protest at the arrest of Prothom Alo senior reporter Rozina Islam and demanded her release.

In Dhaka, a human chain of journalists in front of the National Press Club demanded immediate release of Rozina Islam.

The senior journalist was handed over to Shahbagh police station after she had been confined for around five hours at the health secretary’s office in the Secretariat on Monday.

Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association and Rangpur Division Journalist Association participated in the human chain.

In Barishal, journalists from Journalists’ Union of Barishal, Shaheed Abdur Rab Serniabat Barishal Press Club, Barishal Electronic Media Journalists’ Association, Barishal Television Camera Journalists’ Association and other platforms for journalists continued their protest programmes in front of the Aswini Kumar Town Hall.

In Sirajganj, journalists on the premises of the Sirajganj Press Club demanded withdrawal of the case filed against journalist Rozina and her immediate release.

The held different protest programmes from 11:00am to 12:00pm.

Journalists in Gazipur, Sreepur, Kaliakair, Kapashia and Kaliganj areas also held protest programmes and formed human chains demanding release of the Prothom Alo journalist.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Bandhusabha formed separate human chains in front of the Magura Press Club and on the premises of Pourasabha demanding Rozina’s release.

Management and Resources Development Initiative, a media training organisation, in a press release protested at the arrest of Rozina Islam and demanded her immediate release.

Rozina Islam was handed over to Shahbagh police station after she was confined for around five hours at the health secretary’s office in the secretariat on Monday.

She was confined to a room for five hours since afternoon allegedly for taking documents from the office of the health secretary.

Fellow journalists rushed to the ministry to rescue Rozina but failed as higher authorities did not respond to their requests. Rozina recently wrote some investigative stories on irregularities in the health sector recruitment and purchase.

New Age