Journalists demand withdrawal of CMP commissioner's 'threatening' remarks

Journalists in Chattogram have demanded the immediate withdrawal of remarks made by Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasib Aziz, describing his comments as "threatening" and "illegal".

The demand was made at a protest rally and human chain organised by the Chattogram Union of Journalists (CUJ) yesterday (21 August) afternoon on SS Khaled Road.

The protest, chaired by CUJ President Riaz Haider Chowdhury and conducted by Joint Secretary Omar Faruk, also called for greater unity among journalists to defend press freedom.

"We have never stood against any police officer or institution. We are protesting a threat made against one of our colleagues," said CUJ President Riaz Haider Chowdhury.

He issued an ultimatum, stating, "If the commissioner's arrogant remarks are not withdrawn within 48 hours, we will announce tougher programmes with all journalists of Chattogram."

BFUJ Vice-President Shahidul Alam warned, "If journalists remain silent, society will be plunged into darkness. Journalists have no friends except the people."

Chattogram Press Club President Salauddin Md Reza noted that the protest demonstrated the unity of journalists.

CUJ General Secretary Sabur Shubho added, "I don't call the commissioner's statement a rejoinder; I call it a threat. We don't need lessons in journalism from him. We report to expose irregularities and corruption. His remarks must be withdrawn."

Former CUJ president Mostaq Ahmad criticised a section of journalists for their silence, which he said emboldened the police to attack press freedom while another former president, Nazim Uddin Shyamal, said, "Journalists have taken to the streets for their safety and for press freedom, which has yet to be guaranteed."

Other speakers criticised the commissioner for targeting Channel 24 reporter Emdadul Haque, who had recently published a report on alleged irregularities in the CMP's traffic department.

Emdadul Haque himself stated, "My report presented clear evidence of corruption. Instead of taking action, the commissioner chose to threaten journalists. This is deeply regrettable."

Journalist leaders, including BFUJ Executive Member Pranab Barua Arnav and Multimedia Journalists Association President Abir Ahmed, reiterated that all irregularities — from traffic mismanagement to alleged corruption involving battery-run rickshaws — were documented by the media and that attempts to silence journalists would not succeed.

The protest concluded with a call for broader journalist unity, with speakers warning of escalating the movement if the commissioner's remarks were not retracted.

Prominent journalists from CUJ, BFUJ, Chattogram Press Club, TV Journalists Association, and TV Reporters' Network were present at the programme.

The controversy arose after private television channel aired a report exposing alleged corruption in the CMP's traffic division over the seizure and release of battery-run rickshaws.

In response, CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz issued a protest statement instead of a formal rejoinder, dismissing the report as "unethical journalism" and warning that stern legal action would be taken if similar reports were published in the future.

The situation was further inflamed when two journalists were harassed by Doublemooring police on Wednesday (20 August) night while covering a workers' protest.