Roknuzzaman Tipu, the Tala Upazila Correspondent of Kaler Kantho in Satkhira, has been sentenced to 10 days in jail by a mobile court. The Bangladesh Union of Local Journalists (Bangladesh Mofosshol Sangbadik Forum) has condemned and protested the incident on behalf of its central committee.

Ahmed Abu Zafar, Chairman of the organization’s trustee board, remarked that both the magistrate and the Upazila engineer involved in the sentencing disregarded the Right to Information Act.

He stated, “By jailing the journalist, they have encouraged corruption and irregularities — a dangerous sign for the country.”

The sentence was handed down on Tuesday afternoon by Sheikh Md. Rasel, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate of Tala. According to sources, journalist Roknuzzaman Tipu had gone to investigate alleged irregularities in a BDT 90 crore project for the Tala Upazila Complex building. During his visit, Assistant Engineer M. M. Mamun Alam from the Upazila Engineering Department refused to provide any information, which led to an argument. An unexpected incident followed.

When both parties reported the matter to the UNO, he arrived at the scene and, based on allegations of a physical altercation, sentenced journalist Tipu to 10 days under Section 176. However, the Bangladesh Mofossol Sangbadik Forum has labeled the incident and punishment a “staged drama.” The organization questioned the neutrality of those present at the mobile court, claiming all involved were either contractor workers or part of the administration. They allege that resentment had been brewing against the journalist for his prior investigative efforts.

Local journalists argue the administration should have taken neutral action but instead, the UNO used the incident to settle long-standing grievances against journalists.

Journalist Roknuzzaman Tipu stated, “I went there to collect information based on reports of poor construction — mixing mud with gravel, using less cement. Instead of helping, the assistant engineer Mamun Alam asked, ‘Who are you to ask?’ and started hitting me with an umbrella.”

Tala Upazila Engineer Rathindra Nath Halder claimed, “I was outside for official work. When I returned, I heard my assistant engineer had been assaulted.”
UNO Sheikh Md. Rasel said, “I received a report that a journalist had assaulted one of my officers. Upon arriving at the site and taking testimony from the workers, I found the complaint credible and sentenced the accused under Section 176.”

In protest, Tala Press Club President M. M. Hakim, General Secretary Joarder Faruq Hossain, and other local journalists strongly condemned the incident.

The Tala Upazila branch of the Bangladesh Mofossol Sangbadik Forum is preparing for a protest human chain today (Wednesday).

President M. M. Hakim stated, “We are outraged. It is normal for a journalist to gather information for reporting on corruption. But why was he punished instead?”
General Secretary Joarder Faruq Hossain added that all working journalists have strongly condemned and protested the incident.

Journalist Tipu and other media leaders in Tala claim that he was unjustly punished simply for trying to expose corruption, and they vow to continue their protests.