The Bangladesh police have arrested four journalists including the driver of their car while they were allegedly about to cross the border to enter India.
They have been identified as Ekattor TV Editor in Chief, Mozammel Haque Babu, Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, and Ekattor TV senior Reporter Mahbubur Rahman.
A private Channel Samoy TV was quoted by PTI saying Babu and Dutta were assaulted by residents who snatched their money before calling the police.
The four were reportedly taken to Dhaka by the police for further investigation. The Bangladesh interim government had earlier said that journalists facing serious criminal charges were unlikely to be arrested without a thorough investigation.
Bangladesh’s Editors Council has voiced its concern over the arrest of journalists carrying out their responsibilities and duties. There have been several criminal cases against journalists in this country including murder charges.
The Editors Council has said such actions undermine the interim government’s promise of independent journalism.
