Tahir Zaman Priyo (March 7, 1997 – July 19, 2024) was a Bangladeshi freelance journalist and videographer. He was associated with the online news portal The Report24 as a video journalist. On July 19, 2024, while gathering news about ongoing quota reform movement protests on Central Road in Dhaka, he was shot and killed by law enforcement. His death raised concerns about the safety of journalists in Bangladesh and was condemned internationally.[1][2][3][4]

Tahir Zaman Priyo
Born(1997-03-07)March 7, 1997
Rangpur, Bangladesh
DiedJuly 19, 2024(2024-07-19) (aged 27)
Central Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Alma materPathshala South Asian Media Institute
Occupationjournalist
ChildrenSadira Zaman
ParentShamsi Ara Zaman

Biography

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Tahir Zaman Priyo was a Bangladeshi artist known for his painting, photography, and film critique. He was born in Rangpur, Bangladesh, and showed early promise in the arts, particularly in painting and photography. Following his secondary education, he pursued a diploma in Professional Photography at the Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, opting for specialized training over traditional university studies. Priyo also valued his role as a dedicated father to his daughter, considering her one of his greatest treasures. Alongside his artistic pursuits, he balanced his professional work with family commitments. [5]

Role in the 2024 quota reform movement

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Although Tahir Zaman Priyo was a freelance journalist and videographer, he was also an active participant in the quota reform movement in Bangladesh in 2024. Despite his mother's strong objections, he took part in the movement with great determination. At the beginning of the protests, his mother urged him not to get involved. In response, he said, "This is a just movement, and it is my duty to participate."[6]

Death

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On July 19, 2024, at around 5 PM, Priyo was fulfilling his journalistic duties among student protesters on Central Road in Dhaka, advocating for quota reforms. During this time, the police began firing lethal bullets at the crowd of students and citizens. A bullet hit Priyo's head and he collapsed. Priyo's friends tried to take him to the hospital, but it was not possible due to continuous gunfire from the police. At ten o'clock at night, his body was found in the Dhaka Medical College mortuary.[7][8][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "UNESCO Director-General condemns killing of journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo in Bangladesh". UNESCO.
  2. ^ ডেস্ক, জীবনযাপন (2024-07-27). "আমার মানিক আর নেই". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  3. ^ "'আমার প্রিয়-বাবা'র অপেক্ষায় মর্গে একদিন". The Business Standard. 2024-09-13. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  4. ^ "ঢাকার রাস্তায় নিহত সাংবাদিক তাহির জামান প্রিয়". The Daily Star (in Bengali). July 19, 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  5. ^ Abbas, Md (July 30, 2024). "'Why isn't father calling me'". The Daily Star.
  6. ^ "তাহির জামান প্রিয়: এক স্বপ্নবাজ তরুণের অকাল মৃত্যু". The Report (Bangla). Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  7. ^ "প্রিয়'র রক্তাক্ত নিথর দেহ পড়ে ছিল দীর্ঘসময়, কেউ ওকে হাসপাতালে নিতে পারেনি". The Business Standard. 2024-09-21. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  8. ^ "সাংবাদিক তাহির জামানের হত্যাকাণ্ডে শোক ও প্রতিবাদ". BBC Bangla (in Bengali). July 20, 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
  9. ^ "তাহির জামান প্রিয়র মর্মান্তিক মৃত্যু ও সাংবাদিক সুরক্ষা ইস্যু". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). July 21, 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-23.