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Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has accused leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliated organisations of attacking its programme marking the July Mass Uprising Day in Shariatpur’s Jajira upazila. A local television journalist also alleged that he was assaulted while filming the incident.
The alleged attack took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Jajira Upazila Model Mosque premises.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, Jajira upazila unit of Jamaat-e-Islami had organised a rally and discussion programme at the Model Mosque to observe the July Mass Uprising Day. At around the same time, BNP and its associate bodies were holding a separate programme near the nearby T&T intersection.
Jamaat leaders claimed that their activists were waiting in front of the mosque before the procession began when a group of BNP supporters entered the area and attacked them with sticks.
Victory TV’s Jajira correspondent Jewel Mia, who was covering the programme, alleged that he came under attack while recording video footage of the incident. He was later rescued by local residents and admitted to Jajira Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Shariatpur district Jamaat Ameer Muhammad Abdur Rob Hashemi said the party had organised the programme after obtaining permission from the administration.
“We were waiting in front of the mosque for our procession when BNP activists suddenly attacked us with sticks,” he alleged.
Describing the incident as unacceptable, Hashemi claimed that the attack was orchestrated by Kamruzzaman Milon, general secretary of Jajira Municipality BNP, and said Jamaat was preparing to file a case over the incident.
Journalist Jewel Mia said he was performing his professional duty when the violence erupted.
“I was recording the attack when several of the attackers turned on me and assaulted me,” he alleged, demanding justice.
However, Kamruzzaman Milon denied the allegations. “I was at the front of our procession. I did not attack Jamaat’s programme. You can check the CCTV footage from the area. I cannot say who carried out the attack,” he said.
Shariatpur Press Club General Secretary Nurul Amin Robin strongly condemned the alleged assault on the journalist, saying attacks on media workers while performing their professional duties constitute an attack on press freedom and the public’s right to information.
He urged law enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial investigation, identify those responsible and ensure a safe working environment for journalists.
Jajira Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saleh Ahmed said no written complaint had yet been received.
“Legal action will be taken in accordance with the law if a complaint is filed,” he said.
