5 detained over brutal murder of journalist Tuhin in Gazipur

Police have detained five people in connection with the brutal murder of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin, who was hacked to death in broad daylight at a busy market in Gazipur's Chandna Chowrasta area. 

Tuhin, 38, was the Gazipur staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj. He hailed from Bhatipara village in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh and lived with his wife Farida Akhter and two sons, Tokki and Fahim, in a rented house in Gazipur city.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police's Basan Police Station has recorded two cases over the killing of journalist Tuhin, said officer-in-charge (OC) Shahin Khan.

One of the cases was filed by the victim's elder brother, Md Selim. The other was lodged by the brother of Badsha Mia, who was injured in a separate attack that took place before Tuhin's murder.

The OC added that five people have been detained for questioning in connection with the incident. Their involvement is being verified, and if found linked to the case, they will be shown arrested.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime) Taherul Haque Chowhan said, "Police teams are investigating the incident seriously. Several suspects have been identified and will soon be arrested."

According to police and witnesses, the attack occurred last night (7 August) at a tea stall near Tuhin's office, located inside the Masjid Market in Chandna Chowrasta. 

The incident stemmed from an earlier altercation where a group of assailants attacked a man named Badsha Mia with sharp weapons after a confrontation involving a woman. Tuhin, who witnessed the scene, began recording the attack on his phone. Noticing this, the assailants chased Tuhin, dragged him out of a nearby tea shop, and brutally murdered him by hacking and slitting his throat before fleeing.

The gruesome killing created panic in the area. 

Police recovered Tuhin's body and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy.

Surveillance footage collected by police shows a woman in a black dress being harassed by a man in a blue shirt, later identified as Badsha Mia. Suddenly, 4-5 armed men attacked Badsha with locally made weapons and chased him when he tried to flee. Tuhin was recording the scene when he was noticed by the assailants.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police (North Crime) Rabiul Islam said, "Preliminary evidence suggests Tuhin was killed for recording the incident. The attackers noticed him filming, chased him into a tea shop, and killed him."

The footage also shows that the confrontation began around 6:58pm. 

Rabiul added, "We have identified the assailants through CCTV and intelligence, but will not disclose their names for investigative reasons. A manhunt is underway."

Badsha Mia, who was first attacked, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. 

He claimed the woman involved was part of a gang that had stolen Tk30,000 from him. 

"I didn't know them," he said.

Sources claim the attackers seen in the footage are known criminals and muggers in the area. One has been identified as "Ketu Mizan" from the Channai area. Others allegedly include Shahjamal, Bullet, and Sujon.

Eyewitness and journalist Tuhin's colleague Shamim Hossain said, "Tuhin called me shortly before the incident. I told him my phone was charging at the office. A little later, at the Mosque Market near the office, a man and a woman got into a fight. Then a group of assailants attacked the man with sharp weapons. The man tried to run away, and the attackers chased him with the weapons."

"At that moment, Tuhin took out his phone and started running after them to record the chase on video. The attackers noticed this and turned on Tuhin instead. He ran into a tea stall to hide, but they followed him inside and hacked him to death before fleeing," he said.

"Then I started searching for a police vehicle around the Chourasta area. When I couldn't find one, I called the OC of Basan Police Station. The police arrived some time later," he added.

At the hospital morgue this morning (8 August), Tuhin's brother Md Selim said, "Tuhin's wife and sons have lost their guardian. Who will take care of them now? Why was my brother murdered?" 

He demanded swift justice.

Gazipur BNP General Secretary M Manjurul Karim Rony condemned Tuhin's murder and called for a proper investigation and arrest of the perpetrators. He also urged journalists not to spread misinformation about the incident.

Locals staged a protest in Chandna on Thursday night, demanding the arrest of those involved. The Gazipur Journalist Union also held a protest rally calling for justice.

Meanwhile, another journalist was attacked with bricks and his legs near the northern side of the Joydebpur railway line in Gazipur city, where a makeshift fruit market has allegedly been set up on illegally occupied railway land.

One person was arrested in the incident.