One Arrested Over Attempted Murder of Journalist in Lalmonirhat

Mohammad Helal Hossain Kabir, a member of Lalmonirhat Press Club and Executive Editor of the local weekly newspaper Alor Moni, was forcibly taken from his home and brutally attacked in an attempted murder by identified assailants. Police have arrested one individual in connection with the incident.

The attack occurred on Saturday (9 August) at around 9 pm in the Mokragachh area of Mahendranagar Union, within the Sadar Upazila. Both the journalist and his mother sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital.

Incident and Arrest Details

Following the assault, a case was filed at the Sadar Police Station naming 11 suspects. On the same night, police arrested 50-year-old Sohrab Ali, son of Mokbul Hossain from the same area.

According to family sources and the complaint, around four to five months ago, a man named Abdul Aziz was detained by the police for gambling. This led the assailants to suspect Helal Kabir, who had reportedly been receiving threats from them ever since. Consequently, the journalist lodged a General Diary (GD) with the police.

On the evening of the attack, Helal Hossain Kabir left his home to fulfil his professional duties when approximately 12 to 15 individuals, armed with indigenous weapons, assaulted him.

The attackers beat him with bamboo sticks and iron rods, and at one point, stabbed him in the neck with a sharp knife, leaving him severely injured. His mother, Samsunnahar Begum Lucy, attempted to intervene and save him, but she was also beaten and sexually assaulted.

Rescue and Ongoing Investigation

Local residents came to the rescue of Helal Kabir and his mother, who were immediately taken to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital for medical care, where they remain under treatment.

In response to the attack, the victim lodged a formal complaint at Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, listing 11 individuals as accused.

Officer-in-Charge of Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, Mohammad Nurunnabi, confirmed, “Following the filing of the complaint, we promptly launched an investigation. We have managed to arrest the primary suspect, Mohammad Sohrab Ali, and efforts to apprehend the remaining accused are ongoing.”

Summary Table: Incident Overview

This attack on a journalist underscores continuing challenges regarding press safety and the urgent need for law enforcement vigilance to protect media personnel.