PABNA, Sept 15 (V7N) — Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Detective Branch (DB) of Pabna District Police, Rashedul Islam, has been transferred to the Rangpur Range following protests by local journalists over allegations that a video targeting a senior journalist leader was produced and circulated on social media.

He was withdrawn from Pabna and attached to the Rangpur Range within 24 hours of the journalists’ protest.

The transfer was ordered on Monday in a directive signed by Abdullah Al Zahir, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka. Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf confirmed the development.

According to the allegations, a woman was allegedly held at the DB officer’s office and a video containing false and inappropriate statements against Zahurul Islam, general secretary of the Pabna Press Club, was recorded in alleged collusion with a group of individuals. The video was subsequently circulated on social media.

The incident sparked anger among journalists working in Pabna. They demanded that Rashedul Islam be withdrawn within 24 hours and that those allegedly involved in producing and disseminating the video be identified and brought to justice.

On Sunday, the Pabna Press Club organized a human chain on Abdul Hamid Road, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, with the participation of local journalists. The protesters issued their demands and later submitted a memorandum to the Pabna superintendent of police.

During the protest, journalists alleged that intimidating or holding a woman at a government facility such as a DB office to record a fabricated video targeting a journalist leader, and subsequently circulating it on social media, was highly unacceptable.

They also alleged that the incident was an attempt to undermine press freedom and damage the social reputation and dignity of a journalist.

Pabna Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar said transferring the DB officer alone would not be sufficient.

“Everyone involved in producing the video and those behind the incident must be identified through an impartial investigation and brought under the law to ensure exemplary punishment,” he said.

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