State Minister Shahe Alam expresses regret over case against journalists

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has expressed regret over the case against six journalists, including the publisher-editor of a national daily, and the arrest of the acting editor. 

At the same time, he called for a peaceful resolution to the matter. 

The state minister has sent a DO letter (semi-official letter) to the education ministry requesting that no new educational institution be named after himself or his family members.

The call was made in a statement signed by the state minister's press secretary Atiqur Rahman on Friday night. 

The statement said that misinformation is being spread on social media and the media about the state minister. For this reason, no one should personally file a case, statement or take any other action using his name or on his behalf - because he has not given any such instructions or approval.

The statement also said that he expressed regret over the incident and hopes that all parties will reach a peaceful solution through discussions and legal processes. 

At the same time, he called for immediate release of the arrested journalist. 

It said that since the plaintiff in the case is also a journalist and the elected treasurer of the Bogura Press Club, everyone should show restraint and responsibility without creating any division or tension in the journalist community over the matter. 

The state minister urged journalists to impartially verify the information spread about him and publish the news.