5 journos injured in Narsingdi attack over extortion demand; 2 held

At least five journalists were injured in an attack by unidentified people outside the Dream Holiday Park in Narsingdi yesterday, allegedly after they refused to pay extortion money. 

Police have detained two people in connection with the incident. Confirming the matter, Narsingdi Superintendent of Police Md Abdullah Al-Faruk told the media that police rushed to the scene upon receiving information and brought two suspects to the police station. He said legal action was being taken and preparations were underway to file a case.

Among the injured, Mohammad Shahid sustained critical injuries and was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. The other injured include SM Faiz, Mohsin, Sakhawat Kawsar, and a staff member of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB).

The incident occurred in the afternoon as members of CRAB were returning to Dhaka after a picnic at the park. 

Their vehicles were parked on the road outside the park when local criminals allegedly demanded extortion money as the buses were about to leave.

When the journalists protested, an argument broke out, witnesses said. 

The attackers then attempted to gather people to form a mob and later launched a coordinated assault using iron rods and locally made weapons. 

Several journalists suffered injuries to the head and other vital parts of their bodies.

The victims alleged that during the attack, one of the assailants, wearing a white panjabi, used abusive language and issued threats to shoot them. The attackers also reportedly attempted to set the bus on fire.

Journalists at the scene said they contacted the district police superintendent immediately after the incident.