Journalist Alif Had Feared for His Life, Saying He Could Be Shot Dead

PNN News Desk | Netrokona

An earlier statement by journalist Lutfuzzaman Fakir Alif has resurfaced following his murder in Netrokona. During a discussion meeting with district police in November last year, he had openly expressed fears that his life was in danger. He had even claimed during the meeting that armed criminals were waiting outside. Following his recent killing, a video of that meeting has circulated on social media.

The meeting was organised in November last year on the occasion of the appointment of Netrokona Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam. In the presence of the police superintendent, Alif raised concerns about the threats he faced. His remarks highlighted the dangers associated with reporting on organised crime networks, drug trafficking and armed groups operating in the district.

During the meeting, Alif said he had received information while sitting there that several armed individuals were waiting beside the road. According to him, they possessed 9mm pistols and ammunition, and he feared they might shoot him when he came out.

Speaking about his journalistic work, Alif said he reported on organised crime. He covered smuggling, drug trafficking and the activities of various armed groups in the Durgapur and Kalmakanda areas. According to his account, eight organised criminal groups were active in the area, with allegations against them involving the possession of weapons, explosives and drug-related activities.

Expressing frustration with the police, he said that unless the accused were arrested, he would either have to leave the country or find another way to confront the situation. He also voiced concerns about the safety of his family. He feared that an attack or arson at his in-laws’ home could be used to provoke communal tensions.

Several months after publicly expressing concerns about his personal safety, Alif was murdered. At around 8 pm on Thursday, he was shot dead in front of a tea stall in the Telonjia village of Uttarail, along the Shyamganj-Birishiri road in Durgapur upazila of Netrokona.

Alif worked as the Netrokona correspondent for the IPTV channel Ruposhi Bangla. He also operated a Facebook page called “Detective Article”, where he regularly published information-based posts and videos about corruption, irregularities and criminal activities.

Police have launched an investigation into his murder. Durgapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khandaker Shaker Ahmed said efforts were underway to identify those involved in the killing. CCTV footage from the scene and surrounding areas, evidence recovered from the location, and posts published on Alif’s Facebook page have all been included in the investigation. He also said Alif had been shot with a 9mm pistol.

Asked about the 2-minute-and-48-second video circulating on social media, Netrokona Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tariqul Islam said Alif had raised these concerns at a meeting organised when he took charge of the district. At the time, the accused in a case filed over an attack on Alif in November last year had been arrested and sent to jail through the court. They were subsequently released on bail, he added.

The police superintendent said investigators were examining all aspects of the earlier incident as well as the current murder. He expressed hope that those responsible would be arrested promptly on the basis of the investigation.

The circulation of the video containing Alif’s earlier statements has raised questions about whether concerns over his safety had already been known to the authorities. However, whether the previous attack was connected to his murder remains subject to investigation. The findings of the police investigation are awaited to establish the motive for the killing and identify those responsible.