UPDATE: Shahidul has been released on bail by the Bangladeshi court. The case is pending as of this report.
UPDATE: Shahidul has reached Kurigram. On his way to Kurigram, he had been instructed to go to the police station first, there his confiscated camera and mobile phone were returned to him. He is now on his way to the court house.
UPDATE: Shahidul is on his way to the court in Kurigram. In the same boat are his colleagues, Sumeru Chakravarty and Abul Kashem. Also, police headed by ASI Amir Ali. Since Sumeru is in the same boat, I have been able to speak to Shahidul, and also, to remain updated of what’s happening, through Sumeru. An influential lawyer of the Kurigram Bar Association Advocate Siddiqur Rahman has consented to represent him, the Vice President of the Bar Association Advocate Abdul Khaleque will also be present at the hearing. If they can reach Kurigram court by 11:30, it is expected that the hearing will take place today. By all indications, he is expected to get bail. I am overwhelmed by messages of support and concern expressed by friends in Bangladesh, and abroad. And the stupendous all-out efforts being made to ensure a speedy bail. My heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you. Members of Manobadhikar Shangbadik Shomiti (Journalists for Human Rights) have already reached the court premises. Kurigram Press Club members have been informed, who have said they will be present at the bail hearing, with food! Uttar Bongo Shangbadik Parishad (North Bengal Journalists Council) has also been informed and their members will also show up at the court, to rally support for Shahidul.
UPDATE: Last night at 3am on Thursday 17 June, renowned Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam telephoned from Rowmari thana to say he had been arrested. A case was filed by SI Amir Ali (0191-401-8992) of Rowmari thana under the Control Entry Act/4, 1972 Bangladesh (case number 6, dtd 17.06.2009). Shahidul spent the night in custody at the thana. He is due to appear at court today, Thursday 17 June, and is expected to apply for bail. His camera and phone have been confiscated. The case follows his arrest, and subsequent 6 hour detention (including interrogation) yesterday, Wednesday 16 June, around 6.10pm, by Indian border guards, BSF, while taking photographs for his Brahamaputra river project, one that encompasses China, Mongolia, Tibet, and India, and has been carried out over several years. While taking photographs in the Bangladeshi side, BSF guards had asked him to come over, and then detained him at Sahapara 21 IPP, across the Memokar Char border, Rowmari, Kurigram. I appeal to all, on behalf of Drik to work for a speedy bail, and no unnecessary harassment.
UPDATE: Shahidul has been released and is back in Bangladesh. Email from Rahnuma: Shahidul was released by the Indian Border Security Forces about half an hour ago. I waited until I had spoken to him before letting all of you know. He is now at the BDR base camp completing formalities. His two Drik colleagues, Sumeru and Kashem, who had been anxiously waiting for him on this side of the border, are on their way to the camp. He sounded as cheerful and as spirited as ever. Many thanks to all of you, for your tremendous support, concern and love.
in solidarity/r
Update 21:47: BDT: The current update as upto the Dhubri Police Superintendant and our media friends at Dhubri, Shahihidul Da is going to be handed over to BDR (released) tonight itself at any moment now.
UPDATE: From Rahnuma Ahmed: Friends, both at home and abroad, urgently responded to my e-mail, getting in touch with people who could help secure his release. Shahidul’s mobile was soon handed back to him. He has phoned me to say that he is well, news seems to have gotten through to the BSF post that he should be released, but that procedural matters needed to be completed. Shahidul is being interrogated, a routine matter (conducted by Dhubri thana), and will be released after it is completed. Have heard through friends that BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) has called a flag meeting.
ALERT: Dr Shahidul Alam, well-known photographer, and founder Drik, was detained by Indian Border Security Forces while working on the Bangladesh side of the border on his Brahmaputra project. He called Rahnuma Ahmed at 18:21 pm to say that the guards had asked him to come over, and then detained him at Sahapara 21 IPP, across the border from Rowmari. His two colleagues are on the Bangladeshi side of the border, and can’t get to him. Please contact Home and Foreign Ministry officials requesting that they do all possible to get him released immediately. It is worth mentioning that the Indian BSF have detained and killed many innocent Bangladeshis in recent years, in the border areas.
BdNews24: Shahidul Alam detained
ক্যাবিনেট মেম্বারদের কাছে আবেদন জানিয়ে উপকৃত হওয়ার আশা করি না। তারা এই ব্যাপারে শ্বাস নেয়ার আগে হিজ হাইনেস পিনাক রঞ্জন চক্রবর্তীর পার্মিশান নিতে চাইবেন। এবং সেখান থেকে এই মন্তব্য আসা বিচিত্র নয় যে, “এটা পলিটিকালি মোটিভেটেড একটা প্রচার। বিএসএফ ওনাকে চা খেতে ডেকেছিলেন।” কিংবা, “উনি তো বর্ডার লাইন ভায়োলেট করেছেন, ওনাকে অ্যারেস্ট না করে কোন উপায় ছিলনা। এটা আলোচনার মাধ্যমে সমাধান করা যেতে পারে। মিডিয়ায় যা প্রচার করা হয়েছে তা পলিটিকালি মোটিভেটেড, আপনারা তো ভালো ভাবেই জানেন।” এবং অ-কিম্বাশ্চর্যম্, আমাদের মাননীয় মন্ত্রীরা তখন এই একই কথাগুলো উলটে পালটে বলবেন।
তাই সরাসরি প্রধানমন্ত্রীকে অবহিত করাই শ্রেয় হবে। কেননা এখনও এতটুকু ভরসা আছে যে তিনি পিনাককে একো করার জন্য একটু বেশি হাই প্রোফাইল।
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BSF stands for Brutal Security Force. I am forwarding this email note to Kirity Roy Director of Masum the organisation intervenes into the regular brutal killings of innocent Bangladeshis by BSF.
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[...] Unheard Voice Blog has the latest: Shahidul’s mobile was soon handed back to him. He has phoned me to say that he is well, news seems to have gotten through to the BSF post that he should be released, but that procedural matters needed to be completed. Shahidul is being interrogated, a routine matter (conducted by Dhubri thana), and will be released after it is completed. Have heard through friends that BDR (Bangladesh Rifles) has called a flag meeting. [...]
I cannot believe my eyes when I read the update at bdnews24.com ,how BSF can do this like putting a trap for harassing someone like Shahidul sir .How long they will keep treating Bangladeshis like this .I don;t think the government with mosahebs can protests this but if he is no freed immediately with honor then we will be in the street …
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শহীদুল আলমকে বিএসএফ-এর পক্ষ থেকে বিডিআর আউটপোস্টে হস্তান্তর করা হয়েছে।
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UPDATE: Shahidul Alam has been handed over to BDR and is safely inside Bangladesh.
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Last night at 3am on Thursday 17 June, renowned Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam telephoned from Rowmari thana to say he had been arrested. A case was filed by SI Amir Ali (0191-401-8992) of Rowmari thana under the Control Entry Act/4,1978 Bangladesh (case number 6, dtd 17.06.2009). Shahidul spent the night in custody at the thana. He is due to appear at court today, Thursday 17 June, and is expected to apply for bail. His camera and phone have been confiscated.
The case follows his arrest, and subsequent 6 hour detention (including interrogation) yesterday, Wednesday 16 June, around 6.10pm, by Indian border guards, BSF, while taking photographs for his Brahamaputra river project, one that encompasses China, Mongolia, Tibet, and India, and has been carried out over several years. While taking photographs in the Bangladeshi side, BSF guards had asked him to come over, and then detained him at Sahapara 21 IPP, across the Memokar Char border, Rowmari, Kurigram
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zaid Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
pointing out the typo 17 June is Wednesday, not Thursday.
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Renowned Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam had been arrested by BDR under Control Entry Act 4/1972. He is due to appear at court today. BDR confiscated his camera and phone.
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Thaks god he is safe
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UPDATE from Rahnuma Ahmed:
Shahidul is on his way to the court in Kurigram. In the same boat are his colleagues, Sumeru Chakravarty and Abul Kashem. Also, police headed by ASI Amir Ali. Since Sumeru is in the same boat, I have been able to speak to Shahidul, and also, to remain updated of what’s happening, through Sumeru.
An influential lawyer of the Kurigram Bar Association Advocate Siddiqur Rahman has consented to represent him, the Vice President of the Bar Association Advocate Abdul Khaleque will also be present at the hearing. If they can reach Kurigram court by 11:30, it is expected that the hearing will take place today. By all indications, he is expected to get bail.
I am overwhelmed by messages of support and concern expressed by friends in Bangladesh, and abroad. And the stupendous all-out efforts being made to ensure a speedy bail. My heartfelt thanks to each and everyone of you.
Members of Manobadhikar Shangbadik Shomiti (Journalists for Human Rights) have already reached the court premises. Kurigram Press Club members have been informed, who have said they will be present at the bail hearing, with food! Uttar Bongo Shangbadik Parishad (North Bengal Journalists Council) has also been informed and their members will also show up at the court, to rally support for Shahidul.
in solidarity/r
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Photojournalist arrested for a second time
http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/content/view/390/1/
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UPDATE from Rahnuma:
Shahidul has reached Kurigram. On his way to Kurigram, he had been instructed to go to the police station first, there his confiscated camera and mobile phone were returned to him. He is now on his way to the court house.
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Shahidul Alam sued for intruding into Indian territory
The Daily Star, June 17, 2009
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=17550
A case was filed today against Dr Shahidul Alam of Drik Gallery in Dhaka, who was picked up by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) yesterday and was released after few hours.
Bangladesh Rifles Roumari company commander Daud Ali filed the case against him with Roumari Police Station on charges of intrusion into the Indian territory, our Kurigram correspondent reports.
Shahidul is expected to produce before the Kurigram Chief Judicial Magistrate court today.
Shahidul, along with two other journalists and a local, went on Roumari border of Kurigram district yesterday to see the barbed wire fencing along the border raised by India and was held around 6:30pm.
UNB reports that the BSF Jawans of Shahpara outpost called Alam to their side and as he crossed the border, they detained him.
His three companions-two Drik Gallery staffs and a local– quickly retreated and took shelter at a house in Charphulbari border village.
He was handed over to Roumari BDR early today.
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Shahidul Alam freed
Star Online Report
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=17550
Police freed photographer Dr Shahidul Alam this afternoon, who was held by Indian Border Security Force yesterday and later detained by Kurigram police.
Our Kurigram correspondent reports: Alam was freed around 3:00pm after Kurigram Judicial Magistrate Abdul Matin granted him bail in a case filed by Bangladesh Rifles on charge of trespassing border.
Alam is the founder of Drik Gallery and chief editor of photo agency DrikNEWS.
BDR Roumari Company Commander Daud Ali filed the case early today against Alam with Roumari Police Station.
Alam was picked up by the Indian border guards last evening and released few hours later after Shahidul along with two other Drik Gallery staff members and a local went to visit the place.
His three companions quickly retreated and took shelter at a house in Charphulbari border village.
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[...] http://unheardvoice.net/blog/2009/06/16/shahidul-alam/ [...]
http://www.mediahelpingmedia.org/content/view/391/1/
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IT is a disgrace that someone as well respected and as nice a person as Shahidul Alam has been harrassed in such a manner . A pioneer in photography and raising bangladesh’s profile, he is one of the few unsung heroes of BAngladesh and deserved to be given more support from the Government at a very senior level. I wish him all the best.
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