Rony arrest to protect media: Inu

Government's concern to protect the media has become evident in the arrest of Awami League MP Golam Maula Rony, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has said.

“Beating up journalists is an unpardonable crime. Who ever is involved in that will be up on the dock,” Inu said , reacting to Rony's arrest, during the first session of the DCs conference on Thursday.

”The arrest shows the government’s respect for the media. I hope you (journalists) will assist us to establish the rule of law,” he added.

Rony was arrested from Dhaka’s Badda area on Wednesday barely two hours after a Dhaka Court scrapped his bail in a case involving the assault.

Imtiaz Momin Sony and cameraman Mohsin Mukul of the private Independent TV came under attack at Rony's Meherba Plaza office on Topkhana Road on Saturday where they had gone to interview the MP for their investigative programme 'Talash'.

Later, a case was filed against the Patuakhali-3 MP with the Shahbagh police station.

Although Rony regretted the incident, he claimed that Independent TV co-owner Salman F Rahman put the 'Talash' team after him following his remarks on the share market scam.

The MP also lodged a complaint on his official letterhead with the Shahbagh police on Saturday night, accusing Rahman of extortion, blackmailing, attempt-to-murder, and abduction.

Rony secured the bail in the case on July 21.

He was elected MP from the Patuakhali-3 constituency in the 2008 national polls.

Later, several newspapers ran reports on his alleged corruption, extortion and manipulation to secure tenders.

The Anti Corruption Commission began an investigation against him for concealing his wealth in his income statement.

Rony has earlier been accused of beating up journalists in Patuakhali as well.