Members of the Shantiganj Press Club have strongly condemned a defamation case filed against two of their colleagues, terming it a false and retaliatory attempt to harass the press.
The formal condemnation was issued during an emergency meeting held at the Upazila Press Club’s temporary office on Thursday evening.
According to the Press Club’s official motion, an alleged local journalist named Abu Said was caught by the public on April 7 while attempting to extort money at Shantiganj Bazar. Fulfilling their professional duties, Press Club General Secretary Sohel Talukder and member Abdur Rahman Jami published a video report exposing the incident.
In retaliation, Said filed a defamation case against the two journalists.
The Press Club leaders stated that the lawsuit is legally baseless, malicious, and strictly intended to intimidate journalists for reporting the truth. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the case.
Following the emergency condemnation motion, the organization proceeded with its regular monthly meeting.
The session was presided over by Press Club President Kazi Jamirul Islam Momtaz and conducted by General Secretary Sohel Talukder. Other attendees included Organizing Secretary Hossain Ahmed, Treasurer Yakub Shahriar, Sports and Cultural Affairs Secretary Jamiul Islam Turan, and executive members Alal Hossain, Nohan Arefin Newaz, and Kuhinur Rahman Nahid. General members Lincoln Talukder, MM Ilias Ali, Naeem Talukder, Solaiman Ahmed Kamran and Tofail Ahmed were also present.
