The High Court (HC) has reprimanded Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar for using abusive language to a local journalist over phone, centering on a news report.   

A Division Bench comprising Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat also termed the UNO wrongheaded.

Several homes built for homeless people under the Ashrayan Project next to the Naf River in Teknaf were recently waterlogged by tidal and rain water, causing difficulties for residents.

Teknaf UNO Mohammad Kaisar Khosru allegedly used abusive language towards Saidul Islam Farhad, Cox’s Bazar correspondent of an English daily, for publishing a report on the matter on Thursday.

Getting angry at the report saying residents of the homes near Naf River are hard hit by water-logging amid tide and rain, the UNO made a phone call to the journalist and an audio clip of the conversation went viral on social media.

A government official cannot behave like this and use such abusive language to journalists who are considered fourth state, the court observed.

The court said UNO’s remarks were like those of a gangster and unbecoming to a responsible official. The court termed the abusive language ‘wrong-headed.’

The HC wanted to know what action has been taken against the UNO by the district administration.

Deputy Attorney General Amin Uddin Manik will have to inform the court of the action taken against the UNO.

Manik told the court that district administration held a meeting with UNO and journalist. During the meeting, UNO apologised to the journalist for his misbehaviour.