There was no alternative: Inu
Unacceptable: Suranjit
Information minister Hasanul Haq Inu regretted the arrest of journalist Probir Sikder, saying that there was no other alternative. Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat yesterday, Inu told journalists that the government would ensure that Probir got legal assistance to fight his case. Replying to a question, he said he does not believe that Probirs arrest will hinder freedom of the Press. Meanwhile, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry of law, justice and parliamentary affairs, Suranjit Sengupta, expressed serious concern over Probirs arrest. At a TV talk show, senior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta described taking a person on remand hurriedly after arresting and putting handcuffs on him as unusual. He also said that no person with a conscience will accept it.
Terming journalists and journalism as institutes, he said one institute should not stand against another.
In another development, minister for home affairs, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, told reporters yesterday (Tuesday) that Probir Shikder was arrested on specific charge. The home minister said Probir was arrested for his Facebook status. The minister said Probir had given a Facebook status by holding some individuals, including LGRD minister Engr Mosharraf Hossain responsible for his death and said Mosharraf lodged a general diary against what he said was a motivated propaganda. He was arrested not for writing in Facebook, he added. Asked whether freedom of the Press would be hampered by arresting the journalists, he replied in the negative, saying they were arrested on specific charges.
