By Sana Haroon
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladeshi photographer, social activist and the Managing Director at Drik Shahidul Alam was apprehended from his residence in Dhanmondi, Dhaka late Sunday night, his family members and Drik Galley confirmed.
According to security guards and other eye witnesses, a group of 35-40 undercover cops went upstairs and forcibly pushed Shahidul into the car. The group of plainclothes officer identified themselves as law enforcement officers.
According to the report, Shahidul Alam was detained by police officers hours after he posted a video on Facebook about the student’s protest going on in the Capital City.
The Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) Abdul Baten later confirmed that Shahidul Alam was arrested for questioning over his Facebook posts regarding the ongoing protest in Bangladesh.
Earlier in the day, Shahidul Alam live on his Facebook page wherein he narrated the whole incident that how he was being attacked by ruling party activists.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Division Aabdullahel Kafi stated that one of his family members told the police that he was taken from his house. He said “Police hasn’t detained him and we are just interrogating the statement”.
The Drik stated that the guards were ill-treated and locked up. It further said that they taped and took the CCTV camera footage.
Citing the statement of Shahidul’s wife, Amina said “We couldn’t find him in the midnight and they weren’t telling where they had taken him”.
Shahidul’s wife Rehnuma Ahmed rushed towards downstairs on hearing the screams while he was being pushed and forcibly abducted.
Shahidul Alam seems to be in full support of student protestors.
Earlier in the interview with Al Jazeera-state funded broadcaster in Doha, Qatar, Shahidul Alam, who seems to be in full support of student protestors, criticized the government too.
According to the recent information, the authorities have produced Shahidul in court,to charge him under Information, Communication and Technology Act Article 57. The court proceedings are going on. Shahidul is being represented by Barrister and friend Sara Hussain. Apparently, he was tortured and in pain. The government is asking for 10 day remand, the longer they can ask for it. it seems, that they are threatening to take Shahidul’s partner Rehnuma also.
