Clash over Sayeedi Janaza: 4 journalists accused in police case, gunmen excluded | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
Clash over Sayeedi Janaza: 4 journalists accused in police case, gunmen excluded

Bangladesh

Abu Azad
17 August, 2023, 10:30 pm
Last modified: 17 August, 2023, 10:37 pm

Related News

  • US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • Khulna Power to sell second plant to Turkish firm
  • Milestone plane crash: Students were preparing for coaching after class
  • Milestone crash: Indian medical team arrives in Dhaka
  • 13 political parties urge CA to announce specific election date

Clash over Sayeedi Janaza: 4 journalists accused in police case, gunmen excluded

Abu Azad
17 August, 2023, 10:30 pm
Last modified: 17 August, 2023, 10:37 pm
Photo: TBS
Photo: TBS

Police filed two cases accusing four journalists but did not mention the names of the gunmen who were seen in videos firing shots during the deadly clash that broke out between police, alleged ruling party men and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami in Cox's Bazar's Chakaria on 15 August.

Some 75 people were named among the 2,200 accused in the cases filed on 16 August. In both cases, four journalists — Abdul Majid of Daily Manobkantha, Iqbal Farooq of Daily Alokito Bangladesh, AKM Belal Uddin of Daily Cox's Bazar Sangbad and Omar Ali of Daily Nayadiganta — stood accused.

Two of the journalists — Iqbal Farooq and Abdul Majid — told The Business Standard (TBS) that they were not even present at the spot during the incident. The other two said they were covering the incident as newsmen. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The clash left "a jamaat activist" dead and scores injured after it erupted in Chakaria upazila centring the Gayebana Janaza (funeral-in-absentia) of Jamaat leader and convicted war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedi who passed away at the BSMMU on 14 August.

Several hours after the incident, videos and photos spread across social media platforms showing several gun-toting men, wearing helmets, firing shots during the clash.

TBS has also obtained videos and pictures of some of the gunmen.

One of the gunmen was identified by locals and eyewitnesses as Belal Uddin, president of Jubo League's Ward-7 in Chakaria municipality. 

Video footage also shows that at that time, Belal was accompanied by Municipal Awami League General Secretary Mohammad Alamgir and another person named Amin Chowdhury, the personal assistant of a local lawmaker Jafar Alam. Both of them were holding sticks in their hands.

When asked why their names were not included in the cases, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Cox's Bazar Mahfuzul Islam told TBS, "The police did not bring charges against any journalist. Locals and eyewitnesses said these people [journalists] were present at the spot. They have been made accused in the first information report [FIR]. If they are not involved, they will be excluded from the final report."

"Photos and videos of the gunmen were released 17-20 hours after the clash. So, if their names are not mentioned in the case, they will be included after investigation."

Accused No-7 in the case, Abdul Majid, the Chakria correspondent of Daily Manobkantha, told TBS, "I was staying at Laksharchar Union at the time of the incident. Before this, I participated in a relief distribution programme with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station but conspiratorially I have been accused."

Confirming the matter, Mohiuddin Mohammad Aurangzeb, chairman of Lakcharchar Union, told TBS, "When the UNO and OC left the relief distribution programme, journalist Abdul Majid stayed in my office for some time. I do not know why he was made an accused in the case."

Journalist Union Cox's Bazar (JUC) President Advocate GM Ashek Ullah said, "The involvement of four journalists in the case has raised questions about the role of the police. We think that the journalists have been involved in the case by the instigation of some quarters."

The plaintiff of the case, Mohammad R Forkan, a sub-inspector of the Chakaria Police Station, was contacted on the phone by this newspaper. He picked up but cut the line when the caller identified himself as a journalist. Later, his cell phone was found switched off.

Javed Mahmud, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Chakaria Police Station, told TBS, "Accused has been made in the case based on the video recorded at the scene and the details of eyewitnesses. We are looking for the gunmen, if their identity is known, they will be included in the case."

Member of Parliament Zafar Alam said, "I went to the spot knowing that the police were being attacked. With police assistance, I brought the situation under control. Jamaat men are just lying."

Mohammad Alamgir and Amin Chowdhury could not be reached over the phone for comment despite several attempts.

Top News

Sayeedi Death / clash / Bangladesh

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  •  ABM Khairul Haque. File Photo: Collected
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 
  • Police officers detain alleged undocumented Bangladeshi nationals after they were arrested during raids in Ahmedabad, India, April 26, 2025. Photo: HRW
    Hundreds of Muslims unlawfully expelled to Bangladesh from India: HRW

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • The Government Seal of Bangladesh
    Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder
  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA

Related News

  • US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • Khulna Power to sell second plant to Turkish firm
  • Milestone plane crash: Students were preparing for coaching after class
  • Milestone crash: Indian medical team arrives in Dhaka
  • 13 political parties urge CA to announce specific election date

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

11h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained

Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained

32m | TBS Today
Why are there renewed tensions between Iran and Israel?

Why are there renewed tensions between Iran and Israel?

1h | Others
Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

3h | Others
ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

13h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net