The probe committee formed to investigate an assault on two journalists of ATN News submitted its report yesterday, accusing nine policemen, including four police officers. According to sources, four policemen of the Shahbagh Police Station and five from the Public Order Management (POM) wing of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, were accused of assaulting the on-duty journalists.
A group of policemen had assaulted ATN News cameraperson Abdul Alim and reporter Eshan Didar, when they were covering a police crackdown on a strike called by the National Oil, Gas and Ports Protection Committee at Shahbagh, on Thursday.
Except DMP’s Shabagh Police Station’s assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Ershad Mondol, currently under suspension, sub-inspector Subrata Podder, hailing from Gopalganj district, SI Abdur Rahman of Lakshmipur district, and SI Imam Arefin, hailing from Bhola, who are posted at Shabagh Police Station at that time, have also been indicted.
Among the constables, Moklessor, Hossain Kabir and Sobuj Khan of POM have also been accused, sources said.
However, this correspondent could not independently verify the names of the accused policemen.
Talking to The Independent, deputy police commissioner (Ramna Division) Maruf Hossain Sarder, admitted getting the probe committee report. “Since there are a large number of pages in the report, I can't elaborate,” the DC added.
“I have already submitted the report to the DMP commissioner and he will take the necessary steps,” he said, adding that he was not authorised to disclose the details.
About the next steps, DMP additional commissioner (admin) Md Shahabuddin Quraishee said, “I'm in a meeting now. I'm yet to see the report,” the second-in-command of the DMP
added. The three police officers of the Shahbagh Police Station, except ASI Ershad, had been pulled up in the report, for refusing to stop the assault, though they stood near the spot, a member of the probe committee said.
SI Subrata Padder told this correspondent, "Though I was near the spot, the incident was over before I could comprehend what was happening. It was over in 10 seconds.”
About his next step, if he were to be punished in connection with the incident, the SI said, “I am yet to decide.”
SI Imam Arefin, accused of failing to stop the incident, said, “I was going to the police station to splash water to counter the effects of tear gas.”
“I did not assault anyone and I could not stop the incident as I was unable to see anything, due to the effect of tear gas,” he added.
“What can I do if I am also punished,” he said, sounding emotional. “My promotion might be hampered if I am punished, despite being innocent,” SI Imam said. “I have been victimised.” Earlier, a three-member probe committee, headed by additional police commissioner Azizul Haque of DMP’s Ramna Division, had been formed.