Journalist beaten up in Sunamganj while covering illegal sand, stone lifting

A local journalist was tied to a tree and beaten up when he went to cover a report on sand and stone lifted illegally from the bank of Jadukata river in Sunamganj's Tahirpur this afternoon.

Kamal Hossain is the upazila correspondent of national daily Sangbad and organising secretary of the upazila press club.

He is undergoing treatment at Tahirpur Upazila Health Complex, our Sylhet correspondent reports.

Quoting Kamal, local journalist Abir Hasan Manik said that a group of men who were lifting sand and stones, beat him and tied him to a tree in a bazar at Ghagotia village.

According to locals, Mahmudul Islam, Deen Islam and Rois Uddin of Ghagotia village started beating the journalist first and then others joined.

Babul Akter, assistant superintendent (Tahirpur Circle) of Sunamganj District Police, said, "Being informed of the incident, a team of police from Badaghat Police Outpost rushed to the area, rescued the journalist and admitted him to hospital. Police are already looking into the matter and will investigate after the case is filed."

No case has been filed till 5:00pm.

Aminul Islam, president of Tahirpur Press Club, said, "This is a heinous incident and we protest such attack on a journalist while covering news."

Kashmir Reza, president of Paribesh O Haor Unnayan Sangstha, said, "For years, illegal sand-stone lifting by destroying Jadukata riverbank has been a burning issue in the area. Amid protests to protect the environment, no stern action was taken ever."

"This attack proves how the sand-stone lifters have become fearless due to the inaction of the administration," he said.

Padmashan Singha, upazila nirbahi officer of Tahirpur, said, "The sand and stone lifters are locals and when we conduct drive there, they run away. But this time, we'll take strict action soon."

Sunamganj's Deputy Commissioner Md Jahangir Hossain said, "I just heard of the incident. I'll look into the matter once the case is filed."