Cox’s Bazar district Chhatra Dal has permanently expelled Morshedul Haque, vice-president of Ramu Government College Chhatradal, from all organisational posts after he threatened to burn down the newsroom of online news portal Telegram News, a press release said.
Morshed also made provocative remarks against the journalists.
Chhatra Dal’s district unit president Fahimur Rahman and general secretary Mohammad Sayed Anwar approved the decision on Wednesday directing all activists to sever organisational ties with him.
In a post on his Facebook account, Morshedul called on Chhatra Dal to take “strong steps” against Telegram News alongside threatening to burn down its office, according to sources.
He also mentioned that journalists should be slapped under the ear to teach them how to write captions.
Jasim Uddin, editor of Telegram News and Cox’s Bazar correspondent of Dainik Jugantor, said, Erfan, Cox’s Bazar correspondent of Dainik Purbokone, recently published an investigative report against the family of Rahimullah Khan Rana, a leader of Cox’s Bazar town Chhatra Dal.
Following this, the journalist Erfan came under attack and harassment while performing professional duties on Cox’s Bazar court premises last Tuesday. Erfan alleged that a group led by Chhatra Dal leader Rahimullah Khan Rana created a mob during the incident.
Following the assault on Erfan, Telegram News ran a story on the incident, prompting intense pressure to withdraw it. Ramu College Chhatradal vice-president Morshedul Haque then posted the threat on Facebook.
Jasim Uddin said while anyone objecting to a report can issue a protest, present evidence, or pursue legal remedies, threatening to burn down a media office, calling for physical assault on journalists, or inciting political force is completely unacceptable.
He added that such public comments by a Chhatra Dal leader following news coverage of an alleged attack on a journalist raised serious concerns over the safety of journalists and the environment for freely performing professional duties.
Meanwhile, Chhatradal leader Morshedul Haque could not be reached for comment on the matter.
The Cox’s Bazar district Chhatra Dal president Fahimur told journalists that the incident was embarrassing for them. He added that while many of those who posted such statuses were not Chhatradal leaders or activists, the organisation was taking the matter seriously and would take organisational action against whoever posted out of over-enthusiasm.
Following the comments, district Chhatra Dal officially issued a press release announcing the permanent lifetime expulsion of Morshedul from the organisation.
Following a decision by Cox’s Bazar district Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Ramu Government College Chhatra Dal vice-president Morshedul Haque has been permanently expelled for life from all organisational posts, including primary membership, on specific charges of breaching organisational discipline, according to the press release.
