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Shariatpur: Three journalists were assaulted while performing their professional duties on the premises of the Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Tuesday morning.
The victims were Bidhan Majumder Oni, Shariatpur correspondent for News24, Jahid Hasan Rony, Shariatpur and Madaripur correspondent for The Daily Star; and Barkat Ullah, Shariatpur correspondent for Ei Din.
The journalists alleged that former Shariatpur district Jubo Dal president Arifuzzaman Molla, district Swechhasebak Dal president Aman Madbar and several others attacked them around 10am.
According to the victims and eyewitnesses, the incident followed a dispute over the district administration’s demolition of a boundary wall of the Shariatpur Press Club without serving a written notice.
Journalists of the Shariatpur Press Club had held a human chain and protest rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office on Sunday, protesting the demolition.
On Tuesday morning, some BNP and affiliated organisation activists organised a protest rally at the same location against journalists, accusing them of creating a mob against the deputy commissioner.
Bidhan Majumder Oni went there to cover the protest. He said Aman Madbar and several others attacked him while he was carrying out his professional duties.
Shortly afterwards, Jahid Hasan Rony and Barkat Ullah were also allegedly assaulted while reporting from the scene. Rony’s mobile phone was reportedly taken away during the attack.
Local people later rescued the journalists and took them to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital, where they received primary treatment.
Oni said he was suddenly attacked while performing his professional duties and managed to leave the scene with the help of several people. “I want justice for this incident,” he said.
Rony alleged that Arif Molla and several others beat him, took away his press identification card and mobile phone, and forced him to delete footage.
Barkat Ullah alleged that Arif Molla pointed at him and said, “That’s a journalist, catch him,” after which Aman Madbar and several others attacked him.
He said he was punched and kicked and was threatened with death during the assault. He also said he now feels insecure and fears for his safety.
Barkat condemned the incident and demanded legal action against those involved, saying he was physically assaulted and obstructed from performing his professional duties.
Shariatpur Press Club President Abul Hossain Sardar condemned the attack and called for a proper investigation and punishment of those responsible.
When contacted by phone about the allegations, former Jubo Dal president Arifuzzaman Molla allegedly responded in an aggressive manner and threatened the journalist who called him.
“Many are on the list. You will know after evening. You should also be ready, Inshallah. Where are you? Stay there, I am coming. You will write and we will beat you,” he was quoted as saying.
District Swechhasebak Dal President Aminur Rahman Aman said he saw someone pushing several people but claimed they did not know the person was a journalist. He declined to comment further without meeting in person.
Shariatpur district BNP Vice-President Shah Mohammad Abdus Salam said the journalists had behaved improperly towards the deputy commissioner and alleged that some “criminals” and supporters of fascism were acting under the guise of journalism to damage the image of the BNP government.
He said the BNP and its affiliated organisations had held the protest but claimed he was unaware whether any journalists had been assaulted.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tanvir Hossain said police had already learned about the incident through media workers.
“If we receive a written complaint, legal action will be taken following an investigation,” he said.
