Journo attacked allegedly by clinic director, staff in Satkhira; 8 sued

A journalist was attacked allegedly by the director of a private clinic and his staff while he was visiting the clinic in Khulna's Satkhira.

Following the incident, the victim Monirul Islam Moni, a correspondent for Bangladesh Pratidin and News24 in the upazila, filed a case against Satkhira Trauma and Orthopaedics Care Centre Director Dr Md Hafizullah and seven other staff of the private clinic with Satkhira Sadar Police Station yesterday (10 March).

"The attack took place in front of the clinic on 8 March. Upon receiving information, police responded immediately to rescue him," the station's Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shaminul Haque told The Business Standard today (11 March).

"The investigating officer has been instructed to arrest the accused," he added.

The prime accused, Dr Hafizullah, is also a consultant in orthopedic surgery at Satkhira Medical College and Hospital.

Monirul Islam said he visited the trauma centre with colleagues to check on a patient. Upon leaving, he noticed an elderly woman in distress, lying on a van. When he inquired about her condition, the patient's relatives informed him that she had been admitted to the medical college hospital but was advised by hospital staff to seek treatment at the private clinic.

"I informed Dr Probir Kumar, head of the orthopedic surgery department at the hospital, about the situation. He confirmed that similar complaints had been made against Dr Hafizullah before and that he had been warned.

"Dr Probir then advised the patient's family to take her back to the medical college hospital. Shortly after, Dr Hafizullah and clinic staff attacked me in anger," Monirul added.

However, denying the allegation, Dr Hafizullah told TBS that the incident was merely a misunderstanding. "Some clinic staff were involved in a verbal dispute, but no physical attack occurred."