Two journalists faced physical harassment, obstruction, and temporary confinement while attempting to record video footage of alleged irregularities at the Chapainawabganj District Passport Office. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon (October 12, 2026) on the second floor of the passport office premises. The accused employee has been identified as Md. Imran Hossain, who serves as an Office Assistant-cum-Computer Typist at the facility.
According to Hanif Mahmud, the Chapainawabganj District Correspondent for Asian Television, he and his colleague Jasim Uddin Josi, District Correspondent for Bangla Edition, visited the office following reports of widespread administrative irregularities.
When they attempted to record video evidence, Imran Hossain intervened forcefully, seized Hanif's mobile phone, and harassed Jasim. Despite displaying their official press credentials, the employee refused to return the device. Furthermore, office staff reportedly locked the main doors and gates, confining the journalists for nearly 20 minutes.
Their mobile phones were eventually recovered after approximately four hours following the intervention of senior local journalists and the Assistant Director.
Sub-Inspector (SI) Palash Ali of Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station confirmed visiting the scene upon receiving information about the incident. Meanwhile, Monowar Hossain Jewel, General Secretary of the Chapainawabganj Television Journalists' Association (CTJA), strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a direct threat to independent journalism and press freedom, and demanded a thorough investigation and swift punitive action against those responsible.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Tareq Rahman, Chapainawabganj • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
