Murdered journalist and some questions

The gruesome murder of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin on Thursday evening in Gazipur has left both the journalist community and the entire nation shell-shocked. It once again underscores the grave dangers media professionals face in the line of their duty to inform the public, as well as the appalling state of the country's law and order.  According to initial police reports, Asaduzzaman Tuhin was filming a crime scene involving a honey trap and a gang of criminals chasing the victim with sharp weapons. When the attackers realised that they were being filmed, they demanded he delete the footage. Upon his refusal, they hacked him to death on the spot. The barbaric killing took place during the busy evening rush hour at Chandina Chowrasta intersection, with many onlookers standing by. The crowd only started gathering around Tuhin's lifeless body once the attackers had fled, pointing to the utter helplessness of common people today.

Even though the government often tries to claim that the law and order situation is improving, those claims seldom reflect the reality. Criminality has reached such menacing proportions that members of the public are regularly being swindled, mugged, kidnapped, and murdered. This is evident from nationwide murder statistics recorded by the police between January and June this year. According to a report published in a vernacular daily, while from 2020 to 2023 an average of 1,613 murder cases were filed nationwide every six months, the first half of the current year saw 1,933 cases filed. Meanwhile, certain areas have become particular crime hotspots, including Gazipur, where, according to media reports, as many as 103 murders occurred in the last seven months. Thus, the law-and-order issue continues to baffle the nation, with the government claiming improvement while ordinary people suffering endlessly due to the deteriorating situation. 

The murder of the journalist in Gazipur is linked to the deteriorating law and order, but it is also a direct assault on free press. Following the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian regime, journalists had started reporting with a renewed sense of freedom. The interim government has also pledged its commitment to free press and freedom of expression.  However, when media houses are targeted by vested groups who incite mobs, and criminal gangs assault reporters for their work, there is cause for serious concern. A recent report published by the human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) revealed that from January to June this year, there were 66 incidents of journalists being attacked while on professional duty across the country.  During the same period, there were a total of 196 incidents in which journalists faced threats from law enforcement officers and political activists, as well as cases filed against them for publishing news. How can so many incidents of harassment and violence against journalists occur under a government that has pledged to ensure press freedom?  True, the government, as it often claims, may not be controlling media houses, but why could it not ensure an enabling environment where journalists can report without fear or favour? Journalists, like people in general, feel threatened when their colleagues are murdered or assaulted.

The Home Adviser and senior police officials should take stock of the situation. Although in most recent sensational cases the police have been able to swiftly arrest the perpetrators, these arrests are not working as a deterrent. There are reports of hardened criminals coming out of jail on bail and re-engaging in criminal activities. To address this, the rule of law must be tightened as a matter of top priority.  Culprits must be tried in a speedy tribunal and face the full force of the law.