Jamuna Television’s Satkhira correspondent Akramul Islam was attacked while collecting information against the fake and adulterated fertilizer syndicate. Journalists working in the district formed a human chain in protest of the incident and demanding the arrest of the culprits.

The human chain was held at New Market Square in Satkhira city at 11 am on Saturday (January 24). Satkhira Press Club President Abul Kashem presided over the human chain, which was addressed by Prothom Alo Kalyan Banerjee, Somoy TV’s Momtaz Ahmed Bapi, ATN Bangla’s Kamruzzaman, RTV’s Ram Krishna Chakraborty, Ekattor TV’s Barun Banerjee, Satkhira Press Club’s General Secretary and Banglavision’s Asaduzzaman Asad, NTV’s SM Jinnah, Asian TV’s Mashiur Rahman Firoz, DBC’s Belal Hossain, Star News’ Gazi Farhad and other media representatives.

The speakers alleged that Kulya Union UP member Majed Gazi has illegally built at least 26 fake and adulterated fertilizer warehouses in Budhata and Kulya areas of Asashuni Upazila. This syndicate has been running for a long time using five licenses of Bangladesh Fertilizer Development Corporation (BADC) and BCIC in the names of his wife and two sons.

Journalist Akramul Islam was attacked while conducting an investigation into fake fertilizer. The speakers also alleged that his camera and microphone were vandalized.

The human chain also said that not only is adulterated fertilizer being marketed, but fertilizer is being sold at a price higher than the government-set price. It is alleged that a section of the local agriculture department is directly involved in this syndicate. It is also alleged that the agriculture officer of Asashuni Upazila is controlling the adulterated fertilizer trade in the area.

Although the attack on the journalist took place on January 15, no effective action has been taken by the concerned agriculture department or the administration so far. The speakers claimed that farmers are constantly being cheated.

The human chain gave a 48-hour ultimatum, saying that if the attacker Majed Gazi and his associates are not arrested within this period and visible action is not taken against the fake fertilizer syndicate, a larger movement program will be announced with all journalists in the district.