Man arrested in Chattogram for posing as journalist and raiding guesthouse
The arrest was made in connection with a case filed by the guesthouse owner
Police have arrested a man who was posing as a journalist in a viral video and conducting a search operation at a guesthouse in Chattogram.
He was detained around 11pm last night (16 June) from the city's Kotwali intersection area. The arrest was made in connection with a case filed by the guesthouse owner.
The detained individual has been identified as Hannan Rahim Talukdar, a resident of Poraikora union in Anwara upazila.
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"Hannan Rahim Talukdar was arrested from the Kotwali intersection area," said Aftab Uddin, officer-in-charge of Chandgaon police station under Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP).
"He will be produced before court today in connection with an extortion case filed by the guesthouse authorities," he added.
Earlier, a 15:24 minute video posted from a Facebook page named 'Hannan Rahim Talukdar' on 14 June showed him entering Popular Guesthouse in Bahaddarhat, Chattogram, and conducting searches room by room with a camera. He was seen questioning guests, asking for their identities and the reasons for their stay at the guesthouse.
In one part of the video, Talukdar is seen knocking on doors and confronting guests, demanding personal information. One man, who said he had brought his wife for medical treatment, was repeatedly pressured to prove their marital relationship.
By 16 June, the video had been viewed over 14 million times on social media, sparking widespread outrage among netizens. Many criticised the blatant violation of personal privacy and journalistic ethics, demanding legal action.
On his Facebook profile, Talukdar claims to be the editor of Dainik Chattogram Sangbad and chairman of CSTV24. He also claims to be a member of the Chattogram Press Club, a claim that the club has denied.
His social media profile also includes posts expressing support for local BNP leaders and promotional banners identifying him as a candidate for the position of member-secretary of the Chattogram South District unit of Jubo Dal.
