Journalist attacked for reporting extortion

Durgapur upazila correspondent of Amar Desh Rafiqul Islam, injured in severe attack yesterday, being treated at hospital. PHOTO: STAR

Rafiqul Islam, upazila correspondent of Amar Desh and local press Club president was admitted to Durgapur Hospital.

A group of 10 JCD men who were allegedly threatening Rafiq for over a week went to the press club where some journalists were preparing reports at around 5pm.

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Driving out others, they started beating Rafiq mercilessly. At a stage, Rafiq fell down on the floor.

Local people rushed to the spot hearing cries of the journalists and rescued Rafiq, said the press club secretary Nurul Islam.

He identified some attackers as Rokon, Polash, Mokhlesur Rahman, Jonab-1, Jonab-2, Alauddin and Barik of GorKhayee areas in the upazila.

The attackers allegedly threatened on Friday to kill Rafiqul for publishing a report on their extortion and other criminal activities. On Tuesday, they again went to the press club to warn Rafiq.

Rafiq filed a general diary with local police after Tuesday's threat, but the police allegedly did not go into action.

The attackers, allegedly blessed by a local lawmaker, were moving freely around the police station even after the attack on Rafiq.

None was arrested till filing of this report yesterday evening.