311 citizens demand release of arrested Kajol, Didarul, Mushtaque
3 hundred and eleven eminent citizens of the country have demanded release of several persons including journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, Rastrachinta's Didarul Bhuiyan and Facebook user Mushtaq Ahmed who were arrested under the Digital Security Act.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, they demanded release of the detainees immediately.
Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, professor emeritus of Dhaka University; Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of TIB; Anu Muhammad, professor of Jahangirnagar University; Shahidul Alam, photographer and writer; and Badiul Alam Mazumder, secretary, Sushashoner Jannya Nagorik, amongst others, signed the statement.
The statement was also signed by teachers of different universities, writers, journalists, cultural activists, students, activists, researchers, political activists, volunteers, development activists, and service holders.
The statement sent to the media said: Mushtaque Ahmed used to create on Facebook criticising different political issues, Didarul Bhuiyan has been providing assist with the working class of folks during the corona crisis aside from writing on online and Ahmed Kabir Kishore used to draw cartoons on Facebook. These were found from their houses and taken to unknown places on, may 4 and 5 by persons introducing themselves as Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). In those days, their computers' CPUs, laptops, CCTV equipment were seized without providing any list.
They said it had been learnt on, may 6 through the media that Kishore, Mushtaque and Minhaj were arrested on charge of spreading rumors over coronavirus. RAB filed cases against them with the city's Ramna Police Station. Besides, 10 to 15 more people were implicated in the event and attempts were going on because of their arrest.
The eminent citizens said, "We've become concerned at many incidents like the arrest of photojournalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol by the plainclothed policemen since he was found after remaining missing for approximately two months.
