Journalists allege two attacks in Jashore; second assault follows case filing

Five local journalists in Sharsha upazila, Jashore, were attacked twice within 24 hours -- first while covering an event at Buruj Bagan Pilot Girls' High School on Sunday afternoon, and again last night after they filed a case over the initial assault.

The victims were identified as Atiquzzaman Rumi, Alamgir Hossain, Sahabuddin Ahmed, Anisur Rahman and Rahat Hossain. Sahabuddin is undergoing treatment at a clinic for severe bleeding.

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The victims, however, could not confirm the reason behind the attacks.

Alamgir Hossain, president of the Sharsha Upazila Press Club said the journalists had gone to the school on Sunday afternoon at the invitation of its newly formed ad-hoc committee. On their arrival, miscreants launched a violent attack, injuring all five. Sahabuddin is undergoing treatment at a clinic for severe bleeding injuries.

The journalists lodged a general diary (GD) at Sharsha Police Station that night.

In protest, journalists from various press clubs formed a human chain and held a rally in front of Benapole Customs House yesterday afternoon with Alamgir in the chair. Speakers demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers, identified by the victims -- Mamunur Rashid, Mehedi Hasan Joni and Kamal Hossain.

After the rally, the journalists filed a case against five people, including the three, with Sharsha Police Station, said Shaminul Haque, officer-in-charge of the station.

While returning home after filing the case last night, the journalists were attacked again by a group led by Mamunur, said Alamgir.

Addressing the rally, journalist leaders said the snatching of journalists' mobile phones while they were performing professional duties was completely unacceptable, and called for swift administrative action.