Five more cases were filed yesterday against Amar D e s h acting editor Mahmudur Rahman in as many districts for making "derogatory remarks" about B a n g a b a n d h u S h e i k h Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Abdus Salam, general secretary' of Manikganj district Awa mi League, filed a defamation lawsuit with the Manikganj Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court seekingTk 1,000 crore in damages.

Salam in the case statement said the journalist at a programme in the capital on December 1 made derogatory comments about Bangabandhu and Hasina and he was hurt by the comments. He said such remarks by Mahmudur were "a threat to the country" and legal action should be taken against him.

In Gaibandha, a sedition case was filed against Mahmudur for making "indecent and insulting statements" on the Bangabandhu's family and the country.

Sarder Shahid Hasan Loton, president of Gaibandha Jubo League, filed the case with the Gognisance Gourt of Gaibandha.

The plaintiff in the case statement said the acting editor of the Bangla daily on December 1 took part in a seminar on restoration of democracy and the role of media, organised by Bangladesh Democratic Council at the Jatiya Press Club.

He said Mahmudur at the programme made "aggressive statements" on Bangabandhu, the prime minister and his granddaughter Tulip Siddiq. By terming Bangladesh "a colony of India", he "denied the country's independence and sovereignty", added Shahid.

According to the case statement, Mahmudur further said Bangabandhu had "killed democracy" on January 25, 1975 by forming BAKSAL and "killed and buried" the country's media on June 16 that year.

The court accepted the case and issued a summons for Mahmudur to appear before it on January 30 next year, said plaintiffs lawyer Niranjan Kumar Ghosh.

In Sylhet, another case was filed against the journalist on charges of defamation and sedition.

Rahat Tarafdar, former president of Sylhet metropolitan Chhatra League, filed the case with Sylhet Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court accusing Mahmudur of showing disregard to the state and the Liberation War. The plaintiff also sought Tk 500 crore in damages.

The court ordered the Police Bureau of Investigation to probe the matterand submit a report to it in seven working days, said Mahfuzur Rahman, additional public prosecutor of the court.

In Jessore, a sedition case was filed against Mahmudur with the Judicial Magistrate's Court, said court sources.

Mashiar Rahman Sagor, an executive member of Jessore AL and also the chairman of Kashimpur Union Parishad in Jessore, filed the case.

The plaintiff accused Mahmudur of using abusive language at the premier and her family members during the December 1 programme in Dhaka.

Accepting the case, the court fixed Tuesday for passing an order.

In Khulna, Nazia Ahmed Borna, president of Khulna Metropolitan Jubo Mohila League, filed a case against the acting editor.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Amirul Islam ordered the OC of Khulna Sadar Police Station to investigate the charges of defamation and sedition and take necessary action.

On Saturday, two sedition cases were filed against Mahmudur in Dinajpurand Kurigram.

An AL leader filed another case against the journalist in Natore on December 7 on the same charges.

Our correspondents in Manikganj, Gaibandha, Sylhet, Jessore and Khulna contributed to this report.