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Published : 05 Aug 2024, 02:46 AM
Attacks on journalists across Bangladesh during the ongoing student led anti-government protests have left at least one reporter killed and scores of others injured.
The deceased, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, was killed while covering the protests in Sirajganj on Sunday, the first day of the non-cooperation movement called by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement demanding the Sheikh Hasina administration's resignation.
Pradip's death took the toll of media workers killed in the protests over the past weeks to five.
There are also reports of vandalism of media buildings, vehicles, and cameras.
On Sunday morning, protesters attacked the Awami League office in Raiganj Upazila, Sirajganj, during a meeting of the ruling party.
They severely injured at least 40 people inside the office with sticks and sharp weapons.
Upazila Executive Officer Nahid Hasan Khan said six people died in the attack, including Pradip, the Upazila correspondent for the Daily Khoborpatra.
Around 3:45pm in Shahbagh, Channel 24's Senior Correspondent Shamima Sultana was attacked by protesters.
While trying to rescue her, bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent Masum Billah and press photographer Mahmud Zaman Ovi were injured.
Kazi Salahuddin Razu, a senior press photographer for Bonik Barta, also sustained injuries.
Photographer Ovi said: “I saw Shamima Apa being harassed. As we moved forward to help her, the protesters started attacking her. At the time, we were also targeted.”
Two journalists from The Business Standard, Jahidul Islam and Miraj Hossain, were attacked in front of Rapa Plaza at Dhanmondi 27.
Jahidul suffered a head injury that required five stitches at the hospital.
Jahidul told bdnews24.com, “When I saw Awami League and Chhatra League members attacking a colleague, I rushed to help. They then attacked me three times. If I hadn’t been wearing a cap, it could have been much worse.”
In Jigatala, two journalists from the Daily Jai Jaidin, Nahid Hasan and Amirul Islam, came under attack.
They were beaten and had their mobile phones and microphones stolen.
Other journalists present managed to rescue and take them to the hospital.
According to a report by the daily Desh Rupantor, protesters attacked Shahidul Islam Sujan, the Manikganj correspondent for ATN Bangla, in the Manra area on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway.
When attempting to rescue him, RS Manjur Rahman, the Manikganj correspondent for Independent Television, was also beaten and injured.
Later, local newspaper reporter Dewan Satman Shawon was also attacked and injured.
According to reports published online by Ekattor TV, their vehicle was vandalised in the Hatirjheel area near Rampura in the afternoon, and Senior Correspondent Habib Rahman was seriously injured.
In the Press Club area, Meheraj, chief photojournalist of Dainik Amader Shomoy who gave a single name, and Nur Hossain Pipul of Ajker Dainik were injured.
Around 4pm, a group of unidentified people threw bricks chips at the Daily Star Centre on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue in the capital during a clash between quota reform activists, police, and Awami League activists. They smashed the glass doors and glass panels on the ground floor.
Attacks and vandalism were reported in Chandpur, where Ekattor TV’s District Correspondent Al-Amin Bhuiyan was severely injured, and in Patuakhali, where correspondent Ahsanul Kabir Ripon was hit by a brick.
In Sylhet, Ekattor Television Correspondent Hosain Ahmed Sujon and his cameraman were beaten, and their camera was vandalised.
In Munshiganj, a clash erupted between protesters and Awami League leaders and activists in the Supermarket area.
When police arrived at the scene, a three-way conflict ensued, resulting in injuries to Ekattor Television's Jasimuddin Dewan and several other journalists.
