Journalists and civic groups formed an hour-long human chain in front of Rangamati Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday, demanding unconditional release of Saykat Ranjan Chowdhury.
Saykat, general secretary of Rangamati Journalists’ Union and Rangamati correspondent for DBC News, was detained on Tuesday.
The demonstration, which began at around 11:30am, was presided over by Rangamati Press Club President Anwar Al-Haq and moderated by Mishu Dey general secretary of Rangamati Journalists’ Association, drew solidarity from various political, cultural, and media organisations.
Speakers described Saykat as both a professional journalist and an active social worker. They expressed deep concern that DB police picked him up from in front of Rangamati District Council on Tuesday afternoon, despite him having no prior cases or warrants.
Protesters condemned the manner of his detention as a direct threat to press freedom, urging the authorities to ensure a secure, fear-free environment for independent journalism in the post-2024 era.
According to Saykat’s lawyers, he was produced before a court on Wednesday as a suspect in a cyber case.
