A journalist sentenced to 10-day in jail over an altercation and scuffle with a sub-district (upazila) council official over a request for information regarding the construction work of Tala Upazila Parishad Complex in Satkhira.
The journalist is Roknuzzaman Tipu, Tala Upazila correspondent of a national daily.
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by Tala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Sheikh Md Rasel based on witness testimonies.
Journalists working in Tala Upazila have shown little reaction to the incident.
However, BM Zulfikar Raihan, General Secretary of Upazila Reporters Club, expressed concern and stated that the issue could have been resolved through coordination rather than escalation.
Eyewitness Sheikh Imran said that journalist Roknuzzaman Tipu went to gather information after receiving reports of irregularities and corruption in the construction of Tala Upazila Parishad Complex building.
At that time, when Sub-Assistant Engineer MM Mamun Alam of Tala Upazila Engineering Department refused to provide information, an argument broke out between the journalist and the official. The verbal dispute eventually escalated into a physical altercation.
Both parties reported the incident to UNO, who later visited the site, took statements from local workers and witnesses and issued the verdict accordingly.
Regarding the matter, Sub-Assistant Engineer MM Mamun Alam said, “While I was supervising the construction of upazila complex building, journalist Tipu Sultan came and punched me in the face. I reported the incident to the UNO, who, after hearing from everyone present, sentenced Tipu to 10 days in jail.”
Journalist Tipu Sultan said, “I went to collect information following reports that the construction work was of poor quality. At that time, Sub-Assistant Engineer MM Mamun Alam refused to cooperate and started hitting me with an umbrella. When I tried to defend myself, a scuffle broke out.”
Tala Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Md. Rasel stated, “Upon receiving reports that one of my officials was assaulted by a journalist, I visited the scene. After taking testimony from the workers present and verifying the truth, I sentenced him under Section 176 to 10 days in jail and a fine of 200 taka.”
MZR/SH
