Three journalists gathering news in Shariatpur were assaulted on Tuesday morning within the grounds of the District Commissioner’s office. The victims accused Arifuzzaman Molla, former president of the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal, and several party activists of carrying out the attack. Following the violence, the youth leader compounded the assault by issuing explicit physical threats over the telephone, telling a reporter: “You write, and we beat you up.”
The incident unfolded at approximately 10:00 am as local journalists covered political developments outside the administrative headquarters. The assaulted reporters have been identified as Bidhan Majumder Oni, district correspondent for News 24; Zahid Hasan Roni, representing The Daily Star in Shariatpur and Madaripur; and Barkat Ullah, correspondent for Dainik Edin. Local bystanders intervened to rescue the journalists, who were subsequently taken to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for primary medical treatment.
The confrontation follows days of escalating friction between local newsmen, the district administration, and political factions. The unrest began after the Shariatpur District Administration demolished three boundary walls of the Shariatpur Press Club without providing prior written notice. Outraged by the unannounced action, Press Club members organised a human chain and protest rally outside the District Commissioner’s office on Sunday afternoon.
Reacting to Sunday’s demonstration, local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate bodies organised a counter-rally on Tuesday morning, accusing media members of creating a “mob situation” targeting the District Commissioner.
Bidhan Majumder Oni was the first to be targeted whilst gathering information at the scene. Shortly after, when Zahid Hasan Roni and Barkat Ullah arrived to report on the gathering, activists physically set upon them as well. Roni reported that attackers forcibly seized his press credentials and mobile telephone, deleting recorded video footage before returning his property.
When contacted by phone regarding the physical assault, Arifuzzaman Molla responded with hostile threats. Audio of the conversation captured him warning a media worker: “Many are on the list; they will get news after evening. Be prepared yourself, Insha’Allah. Stay where you are, I am coming. You write, and we beat you up.”
Abul Hossain Sardar, President of the Shariatpur Press Club, strongly condemned the physical violence, demanding a thorough legal investigation and immediate prosecution of those responsible.
Conversely, Shah Mohammad Abdus Salam, Vice-President of the Shariatpur District BNP, acknowledged organizing the protest rally against the journalists but claimed to have no knowledge of any physical attacks. He alleged that certain individuals acting under the guise of journalism had mistreated the District Commissioner and tarnished the party’s reputation, prompting their peaceful demonstration.
Addressing the incident, Shariatpur Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Tanvir Hossain stated that law enforcement had been made aware of the allegations via media reports. He confirmed that police will conduct a full investigation and initiate formal legal action once a written complaint is lodged by the victims.
