Two journalists missing in Cumilla
Zakir Azad, Cumilla
Two journalists from Cumilla have mysteriously disappeared while traveling to Nilsagar tourist resort in Nilphamari.
The missing are Dainik Dinkal's Cumilla Bureau Chief and Acting Editor of Dainik Amader Cumilla , Shahzada Emran, and Dainik Manabkantha's Cumilla District Correspondent Tariqul Islam Tarun.
More than 24 hours have passed since their disappearance, but their whereabouts have not been identified yet. As a result, their families, colleagues and the journalist community of Cumilla are in a state of anxiety, fear and doubt.
According to family sources, the two journalists set off for Panchagarh on the night of June 25 for a tourist trip. They boarded a bus of 'Tayez Enterprise' Paribahan from in front of Hotel Nurjahan, located on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Sadar Dakshin Upazila of Cumilla , at around 1 am. In the morning, the bus stopped midway and dropped them off at Nilphamari bus stand instead of reaching the designated destination. It is learnt that this decision was taken because the bus could not reach Panchagarh due to passenger shortage.
They roamed around Nilphamari town and its surroundings in the morning and afternoon. In a live video posted on their social media, it can be seen that they were staying in the Nilsagar area. From there, they left for somewhere else in a rickshaw. At around 4:30 pm, they went to the Shyamoli Paribahan counter and collected two tickets to return to Cumilla .
But even though the bus left in the evening, they did not board the bus again. When the bus authorities called the number given on the ticket, no one picked up the phone at first.
Later, someone answered the phone and said, "The bus may have left." Since then, their mobile phones have been switched off and there has been no way to contact them.
Their last conversation with family members was on Friday afternoon. Since then, the whole matter has been gradually shrouded in mist and concerns have been growing.
Their last conversation with family members was on Friday afternoon. Since then, the whole matter has been gradually shrouded in mist and concerns have been growing.
The journalist community of Cumilla does not consider this disappearance to be a mere accident. They fear that it could be the result of a premeditated conspiracy. Because, both Shahzada Emran and Tariqul Islam Tarun were used to courageous, honest and fearless journalism in their professional lives.
In particular, Shahzada Emran's recently published research-based book 'Uncle Gateta Khulen Na: Cumilla Gana Abhuththan 2024' has brought him back into the spotlight. The book reveals the real picture of the student-public movement of 2024 and various information about the repression. As a result, many believe that a section of the ruling class is angry with him.
Local journalists said that while many were doing safe journalism from a convenient position, Emran and Tarun were walking in the opposite direction. Their writings against various political and social irregularities were fearless and irresistible. As a result, they were 'marked' in various circles.
Confirming the matter, OC of Kotwali Model Police Station, Mohinul Islam said, a missing person's diary has been filed in the police station. The matter is being looked into seriously. The concerned police station and division have been informed to identify the location of the missing journalists.
Journalist Shahzada Emran's son Abir Nihal said, 'I have heard that the special forces have arrested my father in Nilphamari. However, I do not get any information about who, when, or from where they were arrested. Once I hear that he is in Nilphamari, and again I hear that he was taken to Dhaka. We are in a dilemma about this.’
Nilphamari Police Superintendent AFM Tariq Hossain Khan said, ‘When they were seen roaming around the border area, a special force detained them for questioning. I heard that they were probably taken to Dhaka, but I could not find out more. Further inquiries are being made in this regard.’
Meanwhile, various national journalist organizations, Bangladesh Journalists Association, Cumilla Press Club, and others have raised their voices demanding a thorough investigation into the incident and a speedy rescue operation. They have also demanded their release and safe return on social media.
