Munshiganj journalists ‘threatened’ following report on assault of minor girls aboard launch
At least 10 journalists were threatened inside the auditorium of the Munshiganj Press Club this afternoon (10 May), reportedly for publishing news about the assault of two minor girls on a launch docked at the Munshiganj terminal last night.
The incident took place around 3:45pm.
The main accused has been identified as Maruf Molla, 24, son of Omar Faruq Mintu from Nayakandi in Munshiganj municipality. He is known to be a friend of Nehal Ahmed Jihad, who was arrested earlier today in connection with the assault on the girls.
According to witnesses, Maruf arrived at the press club, accompanied by four to five others on motorcycles.
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Shihab Ahmed, Munshiganj correspondent for Dainik Bangla, said, "Following the publication of news about the incident at the launch terminal, Maruf Molla came and threatened me and several other journalists. He also lectured some reporters on how news should be written. The incident was recorded discreetly on video."
When contacted by The Business Standard, Maruf claimed he had gone to the press club "to correct the news."
He alleged that the viral video involved women in possession of drugs and that journalists had been asked "to include that in the report".
Superintendent of Police Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar condemned the incident.
"Threatening journalists over news coverage is completely unacceptable. Police are taking steps to bring those responsible to justice as quickly as possible," he said.
Those present during the incident included Munshiganj Press Club General Secretary Sujan Haider Jony, former presidents Shahid-e-Hasan Tuhin, Russell Mahmud, and Kazi Sabbir Ahmed Dipu, along with journalists Faisal Hossain (Daily Prothom Alo), Arafat Raihan Sakib (Jamuna Television), Shubho Ghosh (Channel 24), Jewel Rana (Nagorik Television), and Rubel Hossain (Bangla TV).
Earlier last night, two minor girls were beaten up by a youth on a launch docked at Munshiganj Launch Terminal while returning to Dhaka.
A video of the beating went viral on social media. The viral video showed a youth beating up two girls aged 15-17 with a belt at the bow of the launch.
The youth was later identified as Nehal Ahmed Jihad from Munshiganj town and arrested by the police today.
