A TV journalist has been arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly “fomenting unrest” during a widespread protest by garment factory employees who were demanding a pay hike, police said on Saturday.
Ekushey Television’s Savar Correspondent Nazmul Huda was detained from Ashulia’s Baipail area on Saturday the basis of definite proof, a senior police officer Mohsinul Kadir said.
Huda, who is also the local correspondent of Bangla daily ‘Bangladesh Pratidin’, was booked for “fomenting unrest” among agitating workers at readymade garment factories in Ashulia, bdnews24.Com reported. “Under the orders of higher authorities, he was taken into custody by Detective Police for questioning,” the police officer said.
A case was filed by police against Huda under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act yesterday.
“The case alleges the suspect spread false and provocative news through television, the media and several Facebook accounts,” the officer said. Meanwhile, the arrested journalist’s brother said Huda was innocent and that he has been framed. “My brother has been framed. He reports the news, like everyone else,” said Huda’s brother Kamruzzaman.
Police have also confiscated Huda’s mobile phone, laptop and car. So far, at least 20 people have been arrested by the police in connection with the Ashulia garment workers’ unrest.