The mass circulation Prothom Alo newspaper published a cartoon in its weekly supplement adding Prophet Muhammad’s name before an animal.

It angered Islamic clerics and others who took to the streets, shouted slogans and burnt copies of the newspaper.

A court in south-eastern port city of Chittagong ion Thursday issued summons against Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman, publisher Mahfuz Anam and cartoonist Arifur Rahman asking them to appear in the court on Sept 30 following a criminal case.

Mohammad Reza, administrator of Patiya Al-Jamia Madrassa, filed the case with the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.

Protest against the newspaper continued for the third day on Thursday, demanding its closure and arrest of the editor.

Law Advisor Mainul Hosein told a group of Islamic clerics that it was a 'deep conspiracy' to destabilise the army-backed non-party caretaker government.

Islamic clerics demanded closure of the newspaper and arrest of its editor by Friday.

Editor Matiur Rahman, who had earlier edited the Communist Party of Bangladesh organ weekly Ekota, apologised to his readers for the lapse and took action against those responsible for the act.

He also announced withdrawal of the cartoon titled 'Nam' (name).

The government confiscated the issue of the supplement as it hurt religious sentiment of the people.

A magistrate court, meanwhile, sent the cartoonist, Arifur Rahman, to jail after police arrested him.

In the absence of a blasphemy law, Arif has been charged under Special Powers Act. The court gave him a 30-day detention.

A group of newspaper editors have, meanwhile, called on all concerned for showing tolerance and restraint in the wake of publication of the cartoon in Prothom Alo, and appealed to the clerics to view the incident with a sense of forgiveness.

In a joint statement, they hoped that all quarters, including the devout Muslims, would be assured following the apology tendered by Prothom Alo authorities and the official steps taken in this regard.

They expressed hope that Prothom Alo would remain alert to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future.

US ASSISTANCE SOUGHT
Dhaka, DHNS: Bangladesh has sought US assistance in the release of an NGO manager who was kidnapped in Afghanistan five days ago.

Nurul Islam had been working as area manager at the Kabul office of BRAC, the world’s largest NGO when a terrorists stormed the BRAC office and abducted him.

Foreign Affairs Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Choudhury sought US’ help during a meeting with the visiting deputy assistant secretary John Gastright. “He has assured us that they would use their good offices to rescue Nurul Islam,” Choudhury told reporters on Thursday.