The leaders of the Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) have submitted a memorandum to the commissioner of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), demanding the immediate arrest of the people involved in the abduction of journalist Golam Sarwar.
The CUJ leaders submitted the memorandum to the CMP commissioner’s office on Tuesday.
CMP Commissioner Saleh Md Tanvir told CUJ leaders that police are examining the evidence and analysing video footage to find the culprits. Two special teams have been assigned to investigate the incident.
While submitting the memorandum, CUJ President Mohammad Ali said the statements from the victim after his rescue are worrisome for professional journalists.
“It is a matter of regret that there has been no progress in identifying and apprehending the abductors,” said Ali.
CUJ Secretary M Shamshul Islam said independent journalism will be at risk if the abductors escape punishment.
The CMP Commissioner assured the CUJ that the criminals would be brought to book within a very short time.
After being missing for nearly four days, Chittagong-based journalist Golam Sarwar was found lying unconscious next to a canal near the Kumira Bazar in the south-eastern district’s Sitakunda on Sunday.
Sarwar went missing after he left his Battery Lane residence in the port city late on Wednesday. His family said they had been unable to trace him since then and his phone was switched off.
The weekly’s Assistant Editor Jubayer Siddiqui filed a general diary with the Kotwali police the same day.
Once Sarwar was found, a video emerged on social media of the terrified 36-year-old showed him repeatedly saying "Please let me go. I won't write news anymore! I will quit journalism" after regaining consciousness.
