Written complaint filed over attack on two journalists in Lalmonirhat

A written complaint has been filed with Hatibandha Police Station in Lalmonirhat against a local BNP leader over an attack on two journalists while they were gathering news on alleged excessive toll collection at a local market.

The injured journalists -- Asaduzzaman Sazu, Lalmonirhat district correspondent of Daily Manabkantha; and Abdur Rahim, correspondent of Ananda TV; -- were admitted to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex.

The journalists were allegedly assaulted, and their mobile phones snatched at Doikhawa Haat yesterday afternoon.

According to the victims and eyewitnesses, the journalists were taking video footage to verify allegations of excessive toll collection at the market when a group led by Gotamari union BNP convener Noor Islam and former union Chhatra Dal secretary Mazibur Rahman attacked them.

When questions were raised about the extra toll, Sazu’s mobile phone was snatched, and he was physically assaulted. Abdur Rahim attempted to record the incident when he was also attacked, pushed to the ground, and had his phone taken away.

Sazu said, “After receiving complaints from locals about excessive toll collection, I was recording video footage. At that time, BNP leader Noor Islam, along with his associates, attacked me and snatched my mobile phone. They grabbed me by the neck, pushed me, and punched me indiscriminately.”

“We filed a (written) complaint at the police station last night against that BNP leader and several others,” he said.

News of the incident triggered anger and concern amongst local journalists.

Anwar Hossain Swapan, convener of the Lalmonirhat Press Club, said, “Such attacks on journalists while performing their professional duties pose a serious threat to independent journalism. We demand the immediate arrest of those responsible and that they be brought to justice.”

While talking to our district correspondent over phone, Noor Islam denied the allegation of attack on the journalists, saying, “We did not misbehave with the journalists. There was only an argument.”

However, the accused Chhatra Dal leader Mazibur Rahman declined to comment on the matter.

Mosharraf Hossain, convener of Hatibandha upazila BNP, described the incident as condemnable and said, “We are looking into the matter. If the allegations are found to be true, organisational action will be taken.”

Officer-in-Charge of Hatibandha Police Station Ramzan Ali said, “After receiving information, police were sent to the scene. We have received a written complaint in this regard. Police are investigating the complaint. The attackers of the journalists are being identified by reviewing video footage. All of them will be brought under the law.”