3 journalists 'assaulted' while covering BNP protest in Shariatpur; ex-Jubo Dal leader accused

Three journalists were allegedly assaulted today (25 August) while covering a BNP faction's protest at the Shariatpur deputy commissioner's office, with the victims accusing former district Jubo Dal president Arif Molla and his associates of attacking them.

The incident reportedly took place around 10:30am while the journalists were covering the programme.

The Daily Star's Shariatpur correspondent Zahid Hasan, News24 and Jago News correspondent Bidhan Majumder, and daily Edin's district correspondent Barkat Molla alleged that they were assaulted by people led by former district Jubo Dal president Arif Molla.

Zahid Hasan said he was taking photographs and recording video of the protest in front of the office when Arif and his associates assaulted him.

Several lawyers later rescued him and took him to their office, he said.

Bidhan Majumder said Arif and his associates slapped and kicked him while he was going from the ground floor to the second floor of the building to gather information.

"He [Arif] later forced me out of the building," Bidhan said, adding that he would take legal action over the incident.

When contacted by phone for comment, Arif said, "Many are on the list. You will hear about them after evening. You also get ready. Where are you? Stay there, I'm coming. You will write, and we will beat you."

How the dispute escalated

The alleged attack took place amid tensions over the demolition of the Shariatpur Press Club's boundary wall, following journalists' subsequent call for the deputy commissioner's removal.

The press club is located in the Aminbagh area of Ward 4 of Shariatpur municipality.

Local journalists said the district administration allocated 14 decimals of land to the press club in 1998, after which a boundary wall was built with funding from the district council.

On the night of 22 August, the district administration reportedly demolished three sides of the press club's boundary wall without prior notice, prompting local journalists to protest.

According to journalists, BM Israfil, a Somoy TV journalist, was assaulted while protesting the demolition and suffered a fracture to his right wrist.

On 23 August, journalists working in Shariatpur held a protest rally and human chain in front of the deputy commissioner's office, demanding the removal of Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum.

During the programme, the journalists surrounded the deputy commissioner's vehicle when she passed through the area and protested, demanding her removal.

Local journalists alleged that the incident angered a faction of the BNP.

Today, a protest rally and gathering was held in front of the deputy commissioner's office under the banner of "People from all walks of life in Shariatpur". Several hundred people, including BNP leaders and activists, took part.

Speakers at the programme reportedly accused journalists of creating a "mob" around the deputy commissioner's vehicle, demanded her removal and alleged that government land had been occupied in the name of the press club. They also demanded action against the journalists concerned.

Shariatpur district BNP Vice-President Shah Mohammad Abdus Salam, Sadar Upazila BNP President Sirajul Haque Molla and General Secretary Mahbub Morshed, among others, addressed the rally.

Shah Mohammad Abdus Salam said the journalists had behaved improperly towards the deputy commissioner and had no right to demand her removal.

He also alleged that some "terrorists and collaborators of fascism" were trying to damage the BNP government's image under the guise of journalism.

However, he said he was unaware whether any journalist had been assaulted or harassed during the protest.

Shariatpur Press Club General Secretary Nurul Amin said the district administration demolished the boundary wall without prior notice.

A Somoy TV journalist was injured while protesting the move and was receiving treatment, he added.

Describing the alleged assault on the three journalists as "unexpected and unacceptable", Nurul said the press club would take legal action.

The district administration built Shariatpur Park on land next to the Press Club in 2023. Local journalists allege that the administration recently moved to take part of the press club's land to expand the park.

They said the boundary wall was demolished on three sides without informing press club members or journalists.

The dispute has since led to a series of protests by local journalists, including demands for the deputy commissioner's removal.

Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam said police were present at today's programme but did not witness any such incident.

"We have not received any complaint regarding attacks on journalists. If we receive a complaint, necessary action will be taken," he added.

Repeated attempts to contact Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum for comment on the allegations were unsuccessful.