CRAB condemns attack on journos in Narsingdi, files lawsuit

The Crime Reporters' Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) has condemned an attack by extortionists that left at least 10 journalists injured in Narsingdi on Monday – and filed a lawsuit in this connection.

Police have arrested three suspects, including Alal Sarkar, 26, and Roni Mia, 25, who have been named in the case statement, confirmed Narsingdi Superintendent Md Abdullah-al-Faruk.

The others accused in the case are Harun Mia, 52, Mohammad Ali, 24, Riasad Ali, 20, Shakib, 22, Roman Mia, 28, Mohammad Mamun, 30, and four to five unidentified persons.

In a statement issued Tuesday, CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal and General Secretary MM Badsha called for speedy arrest of all the perpetrators behind the attack, and exemplary punishment against them. They have also urged authorities to take legal measures against all the extortionists active in the area.

The CRAB leaders filed the lawsuit with the Madhabdi Police Station early Tuesday.

According to the case statement, CRAB members and their families went to Dream Holiday Park in Narsingdi on Monday morning to celebrate a Family Day programme.

Twelve buses carrying the journalists were parked at “Ali Gari Parking,” owned by Harun Mia, in Meherpara union, opposite the park.

After the programme, journalists returned to the parking area to board the buses. Eight buses left after paying Tk200 each as parking charge, while four buses remained.

At around 6:45pm, a journalist from Naya Diganta argued with the parking staff over a demand of Tk600. When he asked for a receipt, the argument turned violent. Later the accused and others attacked journalists with sharp weapons, machetes, sticks and rods.

Several journalists suffered serious injuries, including deep head wounds, cuts to the face and injuries to other parts of the body.

The attackers also took Tk4,000 in cash and a mobile phone, vandalised the buses, took bus keys and threatened to set the buses on fire with the journalists inside.

Police officer Md Abdullah-al-Faruk said the injured journalists were first taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital and later to hospitals in Dhaka for treatment.

Condemnations pour in

The attack drew strong condemnation from many journalist organisations as well as Jamaat-e-Islami.

Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) said the attack was planned and showed how bold criminals have become while trying to collect illegal money.

The statement was issued by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hasan Sohel.

Condemnation also came from Shariatpur Journalists Association, Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) and Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists’ Forum.

Also, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami strongly condemned the attack. Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair expressed his protest over the attack on professional journalists for refusing to pay extortion money.

The statement was signed by Mujibul Alam, senior assistant of central publicity department at Jamaat.