OUR CORRESPONDENT, Tangail

Local Awami League leader Azharul Islam Azhar yesterday threatened to resist journalists and demolish Bhuanpur Press Club in Tangail for publishing news about increase in CNG-run auto-rickshaw fare in the area.

After the threat made by Azharul, former joint convener of Bhuanpur upazila unit of AL and president of the upazila CNG-run Auto-rickshaw Workers Union, transport workers attacked journalists and the press club.

Contacted, Azhar said no such incident took place.

On May 1, Azhar announced to increase the number of auto-rickshaws on various roads. Since then, drivers have been charging extra, said locals.

Yesterday, the workers rallied at Bhuanpur Upazila Parishad square under the leadership of Azhar and the union’s general secretary.

Azhar said, “Some journalists of the illegal press club published news about the extra fare. They are the workers’ enemies. If the press club is not removed within the next 24 hours... it will be demolished.”

At that time, Arifuzzaman Topu, Bhuanpur correspondent of the daily Somoyer Alo, was chased by workers after he took pictures of the rally. Later, they attacked him at the press club. The video of the incident went viral on Facebook.

Press club president Shah Alam Pramanik lodged a complaint. Bhuanpur Police Station OC Faridul Islam said necessary steps will be taken after investigation.