Journalists injured in clashes in Dhaka’s Kakrail

At least six media workers were hurt while trying to cover the violent fallout of competing rallies in Dhaka

Several journalists have been attacked and injured while trying to cover the clashes between the BNP and police in Dhaka’s Kakrail intersection.

Among the injured are Dainik Kalbela Correspondent Rafsan Jony, Breaking News crime reporter Kazi Ihsan bin Didar and Staff Correspondent Ahsan Habib Shobuj, Dhaka Times Correspondent Salekin Tarin, Daily Ittefaq’s Sheikh Nasir, and Daily Inqilab photojournalist FA Masum.

BNP activists clashed with police at the Kakrail intersection near the party’s planned rally at Naya Paltan on Saturday afternoon. The BNP called a day-long, nationwide hartal on Sunday in response to the clashes.

Rafsan was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with injuries, while Salekin was taken to the National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.

Rajon Bhattacharya, a senior correspondent of Kalbela, said that Rafsan had been recording a video of the clash when a group of men attacked him, beating him with sticks and tree branches. When he fled, they chased him. They snatched his mobile phone and ID as well.

Green TV Special Correspondent Saiful Rudra and cameraperson Arju were attacked by BNP activists on their way from Bijoynagar to Kakrail. They were beaten with sticks before they were able to run to a vehicle and escape.