A protest was held demanding the arrest of the land robbers within 24 hours and the trial of the bribe-taking SI Siddique of Daudkandi police station.

Bangladesh National Journalist Organization Trust held a protest yesterday in front of the National Press Club demanding the arrest of the land robbers and the prosecution of the bribe-taking SI Siddique of Daudkandi police station within 24 hours.

Editor of Dainik Swadhin Sangbad newspaper was present as the chief guest at the ceremonyMd. Anwar Hossain Akash, publisher and chairman of Bangladesh National Journalist Association Trust, said, “Police is the friend of the people and the enemy of the criminals. But now it is seen that the police is the friend of the criminals and the enemy of the people. So if it is not the case, then how come journalist Munni Sheikh was beaten and broken in front of SI Siddique of Gauripur Police Outpost of Daudkandi Police Station? The police arrested the land robber and took him to the outpost, butInstead of taking the case of the victim journalist, the arrested land robber was released in exchange of a large sum of money. This is not a good example. We hope that the Superintendent of Police of Comilla district will investigate the matter and take action against those responsible within the next 24 hours.”

Journalist leader Md Kamal Khan, journalist leader HM Hakim, journalist and human rights activist Md Shamim Mia, journalist leader Moinul also spoke on the occasion.Hasan, journalist MA Akash and many others. The event was presided over by Md. Mahmoob, president of the Bangladesh National Journalist Association Trust’s Dhaka metropolitan representative.

SI Siddique of Gouripur police outpost has been accused of publicly beating journalist Munni Sheikh in Daudkandi of Comilla district and later releasing the accused with money. In this incident, there was a storm of anger and condemnation in the area.

Aggrieved journalist Munni Sheikh complained,His ancestral property of Daudkandi Upazila was occupied by the land grabber Polly Begum, his son-in-law Rob, Ikram Alam and Humayun Gong. Desperate, he filed a case in the Comilla court. On the orders of the court, Daudkandi police station assigned the responsibility of investigation to Gouripur police outpost.

Journalist Munni Sheikh was asked to attend the spot for investigation on Thursday afternoon through SI Siddique. But when he arrived too late, Polly Begum was in front of himJamai Rob, Ekram Alam and Humayun Gong attacked. Journalist Munni Sheikh was severely beaten and his head was split open.

Later, SI Siddique took Rob, the main accused of the attack, to the ‘Jamai Adre’ outpost. According to the complaint, the accused was released in exchange of money without taking any case till after 11 pm. When asked about this, SI Siddique told the journalist, “He was brought in another case, not in your case.”

More complaints, nightJournalist Munni Sheikh was subjected to mental torture by keeping him in water at the outpost till 12 o’clock. Later he was admitted to Comilla Sadar Hospital in critical condition.

After the incident, local residents and journalists expressed their anger and said, “Justice is not being served in Gouripur due to the bribery of SI Siddique and the connivance of influential people.” They demanded prompt disciplinary action and impartial investigation against those responsible.