South Asia press bodies decry Bangladesh violence

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South Asia press bodies seek probe in Bangladesh violence

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, August 12: South Asia press bodies have condemned the attacks and threats on media persons in Bangladesh. In the wake of the students’ protests, media persons have also become targets of the Bangladesh violence.

Press bodies of South Asia in a joint letter to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh Muhammed Yunus said that “we are seriously worried over reports of attacks on journalists, print, online and television media outlets, and Press Clubs in Dhaka, Chattogram and elsewhere in Bangladesh over the last few days”.

Also Read: Arsons against Hindus, Mujib legacy in Bangladesh rile India

“Some journalists have reportedly been killed. And, some journalists have gone in hiding, too. There have been relentless threats and intimidation not only by anti-social elements but also by some responsible officials,” said the letter to Yunus, who was sworn-in last week.

The joint letter was signed in the name of S. Venkat Narayan. It was jointly issued by ‘The Foreign Corresponds Club of South Asian’, Press Club of India, Commonwealth-Journalists’ Association, Indian Women Press Corps, Indian Association of Foreign Affairs Correspondents, and Press Association.

Also Read: India makes sense of Bangladesh upheavals

The joint letter of the press bodies called upon Yunus to conduct free and fair investigations into all violence. They also demanded that the guilty be punished.

The press bodies also urged upon Yunus to ensure that the political leaders and officials stop “denigrating, intimidating, or threatening the media, including individual journalists and media workers, or from using any communal or discriminating language that undermine the trust in the credibility of journalists, as well as respect for independent journalism”.

While Yunus has taken charge as the Chief Advisor, it is not immediately known if his writ runs on the street. The students are seen in the videos doing the police works of managing the traffic and other activities.

Also Read: ‘Should I laugh at the death of people’; Netai killings pained Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Also, the Bangladesh violence was directed at television channels and media outlets who were identified with the Awami League. In the wake of Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh who reportedly has said that she had not resigned, flying out of Bangladesh, the Awami League workers and their properties have become principal target of the violence.

Besides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has specifically called upon Yunus to protect the minority Hindus. Reports have been pouring of violence on the minority Hindus and arsons against their properties and temples.

Also, the personnel of the border security forces of India have been politely urging upon the people who are seeking to enter India to return back. Thousands of the Bangladeshi people are reportedly rushing to the border with India to escape the violence in Bangladesh.

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