Attack on Journalists, Cameras Vandalized at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial
It has been alleged that six journalists were injured in an attack carried out by activists and supporters of the Swechchhasebak Dal at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur, the capital. Cameras were also vandalized during the incident.
The attack took place at around 9:30 am on Sunday (December 14) while journalists were covering the laying of wreaths at the memorial on the occasion of Martyred Intellectuals Day.
The injured journalists are: Fakhrul Islam, staff reporter of Daily Jugantor and president of the Multimedia Reporters’ Association (MRA); Mahbub Alam Shraban, reporter of Somoyer Alo; Rakib Hasan, reporter of Jago News, and video journalist Shahriar Rakib; Saimum Mobin Pallab, reporter of Bangla News; and Mahmud Al Mamun Maruf, multimedia reporter of Dhaka Post.
The victimized journalists said that while they were filming the floral tribute at the memorial, a Swechchhasebak Dal activist named Sohag stood in front of them and obstructed video recording. When he was requested to move aside, he ignored the request and began behaving rudely. At one stage, Sohag and his associates launched an attack and broke the camera of photojournalist Dalim.
Fakhrul Islam, who was injured in the attack, said, “They grabbed my shirt and tried to snatch away all my devices by pulling and dragging me. We were performing our professional duties. At that time, we were attacked.”
Another injured journalist, Mahbub Alam Shraban, said, “After the attack on Fakhrul Islam, we went to protest. Immediately, Sohag pounced on me.”
The MRA has strongly protested and condemned the attack. In a statement, the organization’s Secretary Akhtaruzzaman said, “No party activist has the right to attack journalists in a terrorist manner. Those involved in this incident must be brought under the law immediately. Ensuring that journalists’ safety is not disrupted in the future is the responsibility of the concerned political organization.”
