BNP Leaders Meet Journo Shamsuzzaman’s Mother

BNP leaders met the mother of Prothom Alo reporter Shamsuzzaman Shams, who was arrested in a case filed under the (Digital Security Act), at her father’s house in Dhamrai.

Two BNP leaders--party’s media cell convener Zahiruddin Swapan, and its member secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anne, went to the house of Shamsuzzaman’s grandfather around 11am, reports UNB.

Anee told UNB that said they talked to Shamsuzzaman’s mother Karimun Nessa and consoled her.

“She (Karimun Nessa) burst into tears expressing her agony over the arrest of her son,” the BNP leader said.

Anne said Shamsuzzaman’s mother said her son did not do bad journalism. “I don’t know for what crime my son was taken in the dark of the night. I want to get my son back.”

The BNP leader said he told Kamrunnesa that the entire country has turned into a jai as the government has been trying to arrest those who are raising their voice and speaking the truth. “Shamsuzzaman was arrested as he presented the truth. Thank Allah that he has not been subjected to enforced disappearance.”

Anne said his party colleague Zahiruddin Swapan told the journalist’s mother that the country’s people would not accept if any injustice is done to Shamsuzzaman.

Both BNP leaders urged the government to withdraw the case against Shamsuzzaman and revoke the Digital Security Act (DSA) to ensure press freedom.

On March 29, members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in plainclothes picked up Shams from his residence in the Ambagan area, adjacent to Jahangirnagar University, around 4:30 am.

The same day, a Jubo League leader filed a case under the Digital Security Act against Shams, accusing him of publishing a "false and fabricated report" on the Prothom Alo website.

However, a Dhaka court on Monday granted him bail in the case.