Hot words were exchanged yesterday between journalists of the English-language daily newspaper New Age and officials of Tejgaon police station at the newspaper’s offices, in what newsmen are calling an attempt at forced entry.
Reporters of the national English daily claim some 20 police officials attempted to force their way into the newspaper office around 8:30pm, without any prior notice or warrant.
They said law enforcers forced their way past the reception area and into the paper’s newsroom when several journalists including Deputy Editor Farid Ahmed stopped them and asked to see identification.
Police officials told them they had come to search the office and were under Tejgaon Industrial Area police station officer-in-charge Md Salahuddin, journalists who were present said.
The newsmen asked to know the reason for the search and asked to see the search warrant.
But the law enforcement officials reportedly misbehaved with the reporters, saying they did not need to produce a search warrant, according to New Age staff.
The police video-taped the reporters and then left the office premises after nearly 20 minutes, the newsmen said.
Asked about the incident, Officer-in-Charge of Tejgaon police station Md Salahuddin told the Dhaka Tribune that the incident was a “misunderstanding.”
He denies his personnel entered the building and claims the exchange of words took place outside.
“Our personnel went to the New Age office on getting information that Jamaat-Shibir men were gathering near building number 30 [the newspaper office]. When they tried to enter the area, the New Age’s journalists came out and spoke to us with hot tempers,” he said.
“I believe if they just listened to us clearly, no misunderstanding would have taken place,” he added.
