BJIM condemns alleged army assault on Khagrachari journalist
When BJIM reached out to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agency replied, 'To the best of our knowledge, no unexpected or untoward incident took place with any journalist.'
The Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM) strongly condemned a brutal assault on journalist Milan Tripura, a correspondent for DBC News, allegedly by army personnel during a protest rally in Khagrachari.
In a statement issued today (24 July), the BJIM said Milan was covering a protest rally on 17 July afternoon when members of the Bangladesh Army - currently operating under magistracy powers on behalf of the interim government - intervened to disperse the gathering. The journalist captured the incident on camera.
"Tripura, who recently joined the station and had not received his press identification card till then, was challenged by the army team regarding his credentials. According to his account to BJIM, he explained the situation and connected his supervising manager at DBC headquarters in Dhaka with the army team leader via phone. She confirmed this interaction with BJIM," reads the statement.
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According to the BJIM statement, the army officer reportedly asked Tripura to delete the footage and leave the scene. However, shortly afterward, several soldiers allegedly confronted him again, ridiculed him for not carrying his press ID, and beat him with batons and sticks.
Tripura later showed his bruises on his buttocks to BJIM via a WhatsApp call and shared a copy of the medical prescription from the hospital where he sought treatment.
"Such an attack constitutes a blatant violation of press freedom and professional safety. It is the responsibility of any authority operating under the mandate of the state to uphold constitutional rights and ensure accountability for misconduct," BJIM said.
It said abuse of power must be independently investigated, and perpetrators must face legal consequences.
When contacted for comment, the press wing of the interim government chief referred BJIM's inquiry to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the armed forces.
When BJIM reached out to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the agency replied, "To the best of our knowledge, no unexpected or untoward incident took place with any journalist. Bangladesh Army is always very much respectful to the journalists."
The BJIM stated that it stands in solidarity with Milan Tripura and urged the interim government to take stern action against the people involved, initiate an independent investigation, and make a clear public commitment to safeguarding journalists, particularly those reporting from volatile areas.
