Fanatics now target journos
Staff Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir men attacked and injured at least 15 journalists in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka and Chittagong Press Club yesterday.
In disguise of activists of different Islamic parties, Jamaat-Shibir men launched an attack on electronic and print media personnel at Baitul Mukarram Mosque when they were covering a procession of Khelafat Andolon and some other parties.
Immediately after the Juma prayers yesterday, a group of youths, under the cover of other Islamic parties, came out of the south gate of the mosque and hurled abusive words at journalists there.
Carrying large bamboos, sticks, brick chips, and shoes, they blasted the media for “patronising and supporting the atheists” of Shahbagh movement.
At one stage, they attacked reporters and camerapersons in which camerapersons of ATN Bangla, ATN News, Maasranga, Ekattur TV and Independent Television suffered injuries.
Police were seen inactive during the attack on journalists.
After the initial attack, more Jamaat-Shibir men gathered in front of the south gate and launched another attack that lasted for over 10 minutes.
They broke the cameras of two television channels, witnesses said.
During the hour-long fierce clash that ensued between Islamic bigots and police, a photographer and two reporters also suffered injuries.
Deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Motijheel Division, said after police, Jamaat-Shibir men have now started to attack the media.
“I will ask all media to beware of Jamaat-Shibir,” Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hossain said while talking to reporters.
In Chittagong, five journalists including two photographers were injured when Islamic bigots attacked them in front of the port city press club.
In a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jamaat activists in Jhenidah, a reporter of a local newspaper was also injured.
Different bodies of journalists protested and condemned the attacks.
In separate statements, leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Dhaka Reporters' Unity, Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh, Political Reporters' Forum and Rural Journalists Foundation also demanded arrest and punitive actions against those responsible.
Triggered by the “lenient” punishment of Jamaat leader Quader Mollah for crimes against humanity, people of all walks of life gathered at Shahbagh in the capital for 17 straight days demanding death penalty for all war criminals.
At least five top Jamaat leaders are being tried at international crimes tribunals in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Fanatics now target journos
Staff Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir men attacked and injured at least 15 journalists in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka and Chittagong Press Club yesterday.
In disguise of activists of different Islamic parties, Jamaat-Shibir men launched an attack on electronic and print media personnel at Baitul Mukarram Mosque when they were covering a procession of Khelafat Andolon and some other parties.
Immediately after the Juma prayers yesterday, a group of youths, under the cover of other Islamic parties, came out of the south gate of the mosque and hurled abusive words at journalists there.
Carrying large bamboos, sticks, brick chips, and shoes, they blasted the media for “patronising and supporting the atheists” of Shahbagh movement.
At one stage, they attacked reporters and camerapersons in which camerapersons of ATN Bangla, ATN News, Maasranga, Ekattur TV and Independent Television suffered injuries.
Police were seen inactive during the attack on journalists.
After the initial attack, more Jamaat-Shibir men gathered in front of the south gate and launched another attack that lasted for over 10 minutes.
They broke the cameras of two television channels, witnesses said.
During the hour-long fierce clash that ensued between Islamic bigots and police, a photographer and two reporters also suffered injuries.
Deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Motijheel Division, said after police, Jamaat-Shibir men have now started to attack the media.
“I will ask all media to beware of Jamaat-Shibir,” Deputy Commissioner Anwar Hossain said while talking to reporters.
In Chittagong, five journalists including two photographers were injured when Islamic bigots attacked them in front of the port city press club.
In a clash between Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jamaat activists in Jhenidah, a reporter of a local newspaper was also injured.
Different bodies of journalists protested and condemned the attacks.
In separate statements, leaders of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Dhaka Union of Journalists, Dhaka Reporters' Unity, Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh, Political Reporters' Forum and Rural Journalists Foundation also demanded arrest and punitive actions against those responsible.
Triggered by the “lenient” punishment of Jamaat leader Quader Mollah for crimes against humanity, people of all walks of life gathered at Shahbagh in the capital for 17 straight days demanding death penalty for all war criminals.
At least five top Jamaat leaders are being tried at international crimes tribunals in connection with crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Fanatics now target journos
