Jamaat activists accused of beating journalist in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi

At least 10 journalists have allegedly been harassed

Jamaat-e-Islami activists have allegedly attacked and beaten a journalist following a protest in Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in Dhaka.

The victim, Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir, is a multimedia reporter for the Dainik Sokal.

The News multimedia reporter Maruf Hossain has also been injured. At least 10 reporters allege they were also harassed.

The incident took place around 8:45am on Tuesday after a protest march and rally of the Dhanmondi Zone unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Jamaat-e-Islami.

Five journalists present at the scene said the procession left Kalabagan around 8:30am, passed through near the Sobhanbagh Mosque, and ended at Dhanmondi Road No. 32.

The attack on journalists took place during the closing rally of the program organised to protest the 77th founding anniversary of the Awami League, whose activities have been banned.

Shishir, a victim of the attack, said: "Several leaders were giving speeches at the rally. The journalists requested that it would be easier to gather news if a few responsible people gave their speeches. Then one of the speakers said, 'Everyone's speech must be heard, otherwise we will have to leave.'

"I protested and said 'Why are you talking to us like this? We are not your activists.' After that, they called me an accomplice of the fascists and beat me up."

The journalist said he was thrown on the road and beaten, punched and kicked.

Later, his colleagues rescued him and took him to a nearby private hospital. After treatment, he was sent home.

When Shishir's mobile was called around 11:30am, one of his roommates said: "Shishir is resting after returning from the hospital. His nose and lips were injured. Doctors have advised him to rest."

The News multimedia reporter Maruf said, "We were also attacked while trying to protect Shishir. Jamaat leaders and activists attacked journalists twice. At one stage, they even tried to take Shishir away."

Maruf alleged that although police and Rapid Action Battalion personnel were present at the scene, they did not take any action.

Anandabazar's multimedia reporter Jobayer Hossain also commented, "Jamaat leaders and activists were behaving very aggressively. They wanted to take Shishir away."

Asked about the incident, Dhanmondi Police chief Saiful Islam told bdnews24.com, “We are not aware of this situation.”

Local Jamaat leaders Mustafizur Rahman, Mujahidul Islam Shahin, Anisuzzaman and Jahinur Rahman can be seen at the scene in video from the march and rally.

When asked about the allegations of attacks on journalists, Dhanmondi Thana Jamaat unit Working Committee Member Mujibur Rahman Khan described the incident as “unwanted”.

“Some outsider may have joined our political programme and caused such an unwanted incident,” he said.

Attempts to contact Matiur Rahman Akhand, a member of the central executive council and secretary of the propaganda and media department of Jamaat-e-Islami, over the phone and WhatsApp to get the party’s statement on the situation have gone unanswered.