Narsingdi Correspondent

 After the fall of the fascist autocratic Sheikh Hasina government, all press club committees in the country, including the National Press Club, formed during that regime, were dissolved. However, the committee of Narsingdi Press Club remains intact.

Following the government’s fall on August 5, under pressure from student and public movements, new committees were formed with nationalist-minded journalists. Yet, the committee of Narsingdi Press Club, formed with fascist-aligned journalists, has not been dissolved.

On November 19, 2023, with the open support of Narsingdi Sadar MP Md. Nazrul Islam Hiro and Narsingdi District Awami League's Senior Joint Secretary Md. Kamruzzaman Kamrul, a 11-member executive council of Narsingdi Press Club was formed. Md. Nurul Islam, former BTV Narsingdi correspondent and current reporter for Daily Samakal, was made president and 71 TV’s Narsingdi correspondent Mobarak Hossain was appointed general secretary.

Since the formation of this committee, President Md. Nurul Islam and General Secretary Mobarak Hossain have been accused of embezzling large sums of money collected as extortion from various government and private institutions without informing the executive council. They have allegedly roamed government offices across Narsingdi for personal gain.

Particularly, they are accused of accepting bribes of BDT 600,000 per month from illegal sand extractors from the Meghna River and assisting them in their activities. Any club member who raises questions faces threats of expulsion. Due to fear of losing membership, no journalist is speaking out.

Recently, Akram Hossain, Joint General Secretary of the club, disclosed via his Facebook account that extortion money was collected from sand traders. Even after the exposure, no action has been taken, and those attempting to speak out face threats and verbal abuse. Senior Vice President Badal Kumar Saha of Daily Bhorer Kagoj was expelled, and his wife Mitali Saha’s membership was also canceled.

It is noted that before becoming president, Nurul Islam had a house auctioned due to unpaid bank loans amounting to BDT 14 million. After assuming the presidency, he miraculously managed to repay most of his debts within a year despite having no known business. This has raised questions among club members.

Mobarak Hossain, the General Secretary, is also accused of using his identity as a journalist with 71 TV to collude with leaders of the fascist government, securing contracts from the Water Development Board and District Hospital, amassing crores in wealth. He is said to have built a luxurious five-story building in Basail and drives expensive cars. He is also accused of embezzling salaries of hospital sweepers.

Currently, under the blessing of Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun and MP Md. Nazrul Islam Hiro, Mobarak Hossain is pretending to be a BNP activist to maintain his position and is in contact with local BNP leaders. Even though eight months have passed since the fall of the fascist Awami League government, the Narsingdi Press Club committee has not been dissolved.

Written complaints have been submitted to the Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner, who is also the Chief Advisor of the Press Club, as well as to leaders of the Narsingdi district BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Md. Rashed Hossain Chowdhury said , "I have received a written complaint. I cannot do anything without reviewing the constitution. At the moment, I cannot take any decision on this matter."

In response, President Md. Nurul Islam and General Secretary Mobarak Hossain claimed that all allegations against them are false and part of a smear campaign by some self-interested members frustrated by their own failures. They said these falsehoods are damaging their reputation.

Nationalist journalists of the Narsingdi Press Club are urgently appealing for the immediate dissolution of this fascist committee and formation of a new one.