Sarishabari (Jamalpur) Representative:
The local correspondent of Daily Kalbela newspaper was attacked while collecting information about the illegal construction of buildings on state-owned land in Sarishabari of Jamalpur. Ismail Hossain (45) and journalist Toukir Ahmed Hasu (32), a staff reporter of Dainik Ankanal. The victim journalist Ismail alleged that they were not only attacked, they were also threatened with death. The attack took place at Mukti Jodha Sangsad Complex Mor area of Sarishabari on Friday (October 31).
According to the complaint, the accused are Sanjay Chowdhury (45) and Hriday Chowdhury (40), father Lakshichan Chowdhury, resident of Diyar Krishnai village.
Journalist Ismail Hossain said that while collecting the news, he came to know that the land on which the building is being constructed adjacent to the Upazila Muktijoddha Complex is Rashtriya Khas land. Not only that, the government has filed a case against the defendants as a plaintiff on this land and despite the court’s ban, they were continuing the construction work there.
On asking the accused about the matter, they got angry and started abusing the journalist in obscene language and at one stage attacked him. In this, two journalists were injured and later received treatment at Upazila Health Complex.
Journalist Ismail Hossain said, “My crime is to ask about the protection of state property. They have threatened to cut my bangs. I demand a fair trial of this attack and exemplary punishment of the guilty.”
In this regard, Sarishabari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Rashedul Hasan Rashed said, “We have received the written complaint of the journalist. The matter is being investigated seriously and legal action will be taken against the culprits.”
On the other hand, in the area adjacent to Upazila Muktijoddha Complex, there has been intense anger among the local conscious circles in the incident of occupation of state land and harassment of journalists while performing their professional duties. They demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and exemplary punishment.