13 journalists injured in police assault during Ctg Test, Ld

Chittagong, April 16 (BDNEWS) – The opening day of the second test between hosts Bangladesh and world champions Australia Sunday was marked by police attacks on journalists covering the match.

The unprecedented police action led the journalists to boycott the coverage of the day's match. They also threatened to continue the boycott of news of the entire series if responsible police personnel are not punished through proper enquiry.

Police swooped on the sport reporters and photojournalists leaving at least 13 of them injured. Seriously injured photojournalist Anurup Titu of the local daily Purbokone was admitted to a clinic.

Senior sports reporter of the daily Jugantor, Saidur Rahman Shameem received wounds at his head.

Other injured journalists include Farzana Goudhuly (AFP), Shamsul Haq Tenku and Pranab Bol (Prothom Alo), Alhaj Zahurul Huq (Kolkata-based Ajkal, Dhaka Bureau), Ruhul Amin Rana and Masud Parvez (Jai Jai Din), Aghor Mondal (Channel i), Ujjal Dhar (Nayadiganta), Arifur Rahman (Janakantha), Abu Raihan (BDNEWS), Nazmul Hoq Tapan (Samakal), Abhijit (Khabarpatra), Tuhin (RTV), Zahid (Independent) and Zafar Iqbal (Sangram).

Witnesses said that police became wild after a scuffle between senior photojournalist Shamsul Haq Tenku prior to the match at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium.

Tenku was parking his car at the parking area by showing his valid transport pass. But, Ali Anwar, an on-duty traffic sergeant without any reason barred him and hurled abusive words.

The other police personnel joined the sergeant in beating Tenku. At one stage, Anwar brandishing his revolver threatened to shoot at Tenku.

The unruly police personnel at that time also harassed AFP photojournalist Farzana Goudhuly.

Other journalists strongly condemned the attack and protested the incident at the ground.

Following assurance from the police officers that sergeant Anwar will apologise the incident during the lunch break and a request from match referee Jeff Crow, the reporters went to the press box while photographers to their place.

But the fresh trouble erupted when the journalists were talking about the matter with senior police officers during the lunch break beside the ground.

Without any reason, DC (port) Akbar Ali Khan instructed his force to attack the journalists. The policemen started beating the journalists by sticks and 'butts' of rifles.

Zahirul Haque, a 65-year-old photojournalist, could not save him from the barbaric police attack.

Police also damaged a number of cameras of the photojournalists.

The journalists later at a news conference demanded exemplary punishment to the responsible police officials. They also condemned the silence of the official of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Different journalists' bodies, political parties and social and cultural organisations strongly condemned the attack on journalists.

Leader of the Opposition and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina in a statement said the BNP-Jamaat alliance government has revealed their true ugly face before the world as a torturer of journalists.

The government has harmed the image of our country by this brutality, she remarked recalling that 14 journalists have been killed and about 2,500 others injured in the tenure of the present government.

Former state minister for youth and sports Obaidul Kader, former president of Bangladesh Cricket Board Saber Hossain Chowdhury and Youth and Sports secretary of Awami League Dewan Shafiul Arefin Tutul in separate statements also protested the barbaric act of police on journalists.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Dhaka Reporters Unity, Chittagong Union Journalists, Bangladesh Sports Writer Association, Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, Bangladesh Sports Journalists and Writers Community and former directors of Bangladesh Cricket Board also condemned the attack.

They demanded exemplary punishment to the responsible police personnel.

The BCB President Ali Asghar Loby, MP, in a statement regretted the incident and said that they took the matter very seriously. The administration has already been informed, he said.

He assured of proper investigation into the unfortunate incident.

BDNEWS/2113 hrs