Threats to journalists: Two leaders of Yuba Shakti dismissed

Two leaders of the National Youth Shakti Party who threatened to lock up journalists in Rajshahi have been temporarily dismissed. The organization’s central joint member secretary (office) Asadur Rahman gave this information on Tuesday (December 2) night.
He said that in view of the allegations of serious breach of organizational discipline, the chief organizer of the Rajshahi Metropolitan branch of the National Youth Shakti Party Mehedi Hasan Farabi and joint member secretary Shoaib Ahmed have been temporarily dismissed from all responsibilities of the committee. At the same time, convener Tariqul Islam and member secretary Dr. Jahedul Islam have been ordered to provide a written and physical explanation within the next two days as to why the two of them will not be permanently expelled for their disciplinary-related activities.
Asadur Rahman further said that if a satisfactory explanation is not provided within the stipulated time, necessary action will be taken as per the organization’s policies. It is worth mentioning that on Monday, there was an introductory meeting of the new district committee of the National Citizens Party (NCP) at the Rajshahi Parjatan Motel. Mehedi Hasan Farabi, Shoaib Ahmed and some NCP leaders and activists went there. They alleged that the new convener of the NCP district committee, Saiful Islam, is an associate of the Awami League. They want his resignation.
Journalists were talking to Saiful Islam about this allegation in the motel’s conference room. Shoaib Ahmed and Mehedi Hasan Farabi entered the conference room during the question and answer session. After entering, Shoaib said, ‘Brother, if you are here, if you do not stop this now, then we will lock you and them. You will have to defecate and urinate here.’
Farabi said from the side, ‘There are so many people sitting outside.’ Are you torturing here, or not?’ When the journalists did not say anything, Farabi said again, ‘Brother, are you not listening to me?’ Shoaib stopped him and said, ‘If you do not stop this now, we will lock you up with your journalists.’ Then the journalists came and protested.
The video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. The Rajshahi Television Journalists Association and the Rajshahi branch of the Bangladesh Photojournalist Association issued statements that night strongly condemning and protesting such behavior towards journalists. In addition, the Rajshahi Editors Forum issued a statement yesterday condemning it.
Journalist organizations called the incident a threat to independent journalism and against the spirit of July and demanded immediate and strict organizational action against the accused.