Minister Shahe Alam expresses regret over journalist's arrest

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam has expressed regret over the arrest of Rezanur Islam, acting editor of the daily Agrojatra Protidin. He has expressed hope that the matter will be resolved peacefully through legal process and mutual discussion, and that the arrested journalist will be released soon.

The information was shared in a press release signed by the minister's press secretary, Md Atiqur Rahman, on Friday, June 19.

The release stated that various information and comments regarding the minister have recently been circulating on social media and in the press. In this context, a warning has been issued that no one should take any personal initiative to file cases, issue statements or take any other steps using the minister's name or claiming to represent him. It was also mentioned that these activities have no instruction or approval from the minister.

The minister urged journalists to verify information about him in a neutral manner before publishing.

Earlier, a case was filed against several individuals, including the editor-publisher of Agrojatra Protidin, over a report concerning Mir Shahe Alam, MP for Bogura-2 (Shibganj) and state minister. Based on the case, Rezanur Islam was arrested from the Board Bazar area in Gazipur on Thursday night by Bogura District Detective Police. He was sent to jail through the court on Friday.

The complainant in the case is Tanvir Alam Rimmon, treasurer of Bogura Press Club and regional correspondent of The New Nation. The case alleges that the accused deliberately published false and misleading information in an attempt to damage the personal, social and political reputation of the complainant and the state minister.

Regarding the incident, the minister said the complainant is also a journalist and an elected representative of Bogura Press Club. Everyone must act responsibly to avoid any misunderstanding or tension among the journalist community over this incident.

The release added that the minister expects an acceptable and peaceful resolution through the cooperation of all concerned parties.