'I’ve beaten the devil inside you': 2 journalists accuse senior Ctg cop of assault at police station

Chattogram police have come under scrutiny after two journalists from Jamuna Television were allegedly assaulted at Khulshi Police Station while collecting news, with no visible action being taken even after 24 hours.

Jamuna TV Staff Reporter Zobayed Ibne Shahadat alleged that he, along with cameraman Asaduzzaman Limon, was assaulted by CMP Deputy Commissioner (North) Md Amirul Islam while reporting at Khulshi Police Station.

However, the accused police official denied the allegation.

Following the allegations by the journalists, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has called a meeting with all officers-in-charge (OCs) of all 16 police stations under its jurisdiction, deputy commissioners, and senior officials of its police stations to discuss the situation.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz today (13 October) said, "They will be briefed on maintaining cordial relations with journalists and will be cautioned accordingly. If any incident involving journalists occurs in the future, strict action will be taken against those responsible."

He also said, "As soon as we heard about the incident, we sent an additional commissioner to look into it. The investigation is still ongoing.

"The Jamuna TV journalist has not yet filed a written complaint, but we are investigating nonetheless."

Journalist Zobayed Ibne Shahadat said, "I had lost my wallet and went to the police station to file a general diary (GD). While waiting at the station, I noticed that several people had been detained over a fight at a concert the previous day."

He said, "I was interviewing their family members when DC Amirul came and asked who gave me permission [to record].

"He then slapped me several times, threw me to the ground, and hit me with a baton. He [Amirul] said, 'You fascist. I didn't beat you, I've beaten the devil inside you.'"

DC Amirul denied the allegations, telling TBS, "On 11 October night, Chhatra League activists chanted 'Joy Bangla' slogans at the GEC Convention Hall. We were investigating that issue. The journalist entered the station and caused trouble. I did not touch him. He himself was at the event and joined in the slogans."

Earlier on Saturday, a rock concert at GEC Convention Centre in the port city turned violent after a scuffle broke out over chanting the slogans "Joy Bangla" and "Sheikh Hasina", leaving one person with a gunshot wound.

The incident occurred around 8:30pm at the centre in the Khulshi area during a "Fun and Rock Fest" organised by a motorcycle brand.

Police fired blank shots to control the situation, injuring three people, including one who was shot. The Khulshi police also detained 10 people.

Earlier, on 5 October, Ekhon Television's Chattogram Bureau Chief Hosain Ziyad and cameraman Mohammad Parvez were attacked by local miscreants while reporting in Salimpur, Sitakunda.

On 20 August, Dainik Jaijaidin multimedia reporter Sahidul Islam Masum was also allegedly harassed by Double Mooring Police Station Officer-in-Charge Babul Azad, claiming he was detained for about 20 minutes in the station's custody while covering a story.