Staff Reporter :
The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has challenged the accuracy of a Reuters report titled “One killed in Bangladesh as Hindu protesters clash with police,” published on 27 November 2024. The report detailed the tense situation surrounding the arrest and bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu leader associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The Reuters article quoted Deputy Police Commissioner (South Division) Liaquat Ali Khan as saying, “A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court [in Chattogram].” However, the CMP has strongly denied this claim, stating that neither Reuters nor its journalists contacted Liaquat Ali Khan for any comment.
In a statement, the CMP clarified that Liaquat Ali Khan was present at the court premises to maintain law and order during the protests, but he did not provide any statement to the media. Additionally, the CMP noted that four constables named Liaquat are employed within Chattogram, none of whom spoke to Reuters.
The CMP criticised the publication of unverified statements, describing it as a breach of journalistic ethics. They underscored the importance of media outlets ensuring accuracy and credibility, especially when attributing quotes to law enforcement officials.
The CMP expressed hope that Reuters and other media organisations would adhere to ethical standards and verify information thoroughly before publishing sensitive reports in the future.
