Rangpur, Sept 23 (V7N) – Journalists in Rangpur have announced a protest program demanding the removal and arrest of officials involved in the abduction and harassment of a senior reporter, as well as an end to the city corporation’s biased reporting. The journalists warned that if their demands are not met by midnight on Tuesday, they will stage a sit-in at the office of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
 
The announcement came during a human chain organized in front of Rangpur Press Club on Monday afternoon, protesting the abduction and assault of senior journalist Liakat Ali Badal. According to participants, Badal was taken from the Press Club area to the Rangpur City Corporation by officials, forced to apologize for a news report, and later journalists attempting to intervene were trapped and harassed by a mob led by the city corporation’s executives.
 
The program was attended by over 200 journalists from various organizations, including Rangpur Press Club, City Press Club, Reporters Club, Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association, Television Camera Journalists Association, Online Journalists Association, and several district and upazila press clubs. Leaders of the National Citizens Party, Amar Bangladesh Party, and the District Anti-Corruption Committee also expressed solidarity.
 
Speakers condemned the actions as an unprecedented attack on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists reporting on corruption and irregularities. They called for an impartial investigation into the appointment of 25 officials involved in the incident and demanded accountability for those responsible, including City Corporation Chief Executive Umme Fatema and Head of Trade License Mizanur Rahman Mizu.
 
The journalists further declared a suspension of all positive coverage of Rangpur City Corporation, pledging instead to focus on exposing corruption and misconduct until justice is served.
 
The protest highlights growing tensions between journalists and municipal authorities in Rangpur and raises concerns about press freedom and the safety of reporters in the region.
 
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