Attack on journalists: Savar OC withdrawn after three police officials closed

The officer-in-charge of Savar Model Police Station has been withdrawn and attached to police lines after three other police officials were closed over Friday’s (22 May) attack on journalists in Savar’s West Rajashan area.

Police sources said OC Arman Ali was withdrawn today (26 May) on verbal instructions from higher authorities, mainly over the failure to quickly arrest Mohammad Shamim Reza, the main accused in the attack case, and questions about the OC’s role in maintaining law and order in the area.

Confirming the matter to The Business Standard this afternoon, Dhaka district police Additional Superintendent (Crime, Ops and Traffic) Md Jahangir Alam said, “We have not yet received any written order. But he has been withdrawn and attached to police lines on verbal instructions from higher authorities for administrative reasons.”

He said they had learned that the decision came mainly over the recent attack on journalists while they were performing professional duties.

“Higher authorities may think the OC is perhaps failing to play the role expected of him in maintaining law and order. That may be why the authorities took such a decision,” he added.

Earlier, three officials of Savar Model Police Station were withdrawn and attached to police lines over allegations of maintaining close ties and communication with the main accused, Mohammad Shamim Reza, 35, who is accused of drug trading.

Dhaka Superintendent of Police Shamima Parvin confirmed the matter yesterday (25 May) while responding to a question from The Business Standard during a visit to Savar Model Police Station.

She said the decision was taken on Saturday (23 May), based on allegations received from different sources and police intelligence.

She also said departmental action would be taken if the allegations against the closed police officials were found true after investigation.

Although she could not immediately disclose their names, the SP said the withdrawn officials were sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors.

On Friday (22 May), Desh TV senior reporter Taifur Rahman Tuhin, cameraperson Monirul Kaiyum, private car driver Zainal and SA TV local representative Saddam Hossain were attacked while performing professional duties in West Rajashan.

The attackers beat them indiscriminately with local weapons and sticks. They also stabbed SA TV local representative Saddam and Desh TV senior reporter Tuhin.

Police later rushed to the scene, rescued the seriously injured and bleeding victims, sent them to hospital for treatment and detained four people from the spot on suspicion of involvement.

However, allegations later surfaced that Shamim was present at the scene after the first police team arrived, but he was not detained immediately. He later fled before other police officials and teams reached the spot.

Questions were also raised over whether negligence by some police officials helped him escape.

Speaking from hospital after the attack, injured journalist Tuhin said he and his team went to the area that morning on an office assignment to collect information for a report on Shamim’s alleged drug business and spread of drugs.

At one stage, SA TV representative Saddam joined them to assist with the reporting work.

Tuhin said the attack took place around 3:30pm when they were returning after completing their work.

He alleged that the attackers stabbed him several times in the stomach and back, tried to shoot journalist Saddam and attempted to stab him in the eye.

Later that night, Desh TV Chief News Editor Md Fakhrul Islam Majumdar filed a case with Savar Model Police Station against 21 named people, including Shamim as the main accused, and 40 to 50 unnamed people.

Earlier, Saddam had aired several reports on SA TV about Shamim’s alleged drug syndicate and influence.

After his first report was aired, RAB raided Shamim’s alleged den. Shamim was not found, but RAB detained three people from around the den with drugs and a foreign pistol.

After Saddam aired further reports on Shamim, the syndicate reportedly became angry with him.