Journalist allegedly assaulted by Jamaat activists in Kushtia

A journalist was allegedly assaulted by activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami while collecting information about alleged irregularities in a road construction project in Kumarkhali, Kushtia, on Saturday, although the allegation of involvement has been denied by the accused.
Mahbubul Ahsan Ullash, Kumarkhali-Khoksa correspondent for Bangla TV and general secretary of Kumarkhali Press Club, alleged that 20-25 people attacked him while he was reporting on claims that low-quality bricks, sand and stone chips were being used in the construction of a municipal road.
Ullash alleged that some of those involved were Jamaat activists and relatives of Afzal Hossain, the Jamaat-backed lawmaker from Kushtia-4. One account identified Afzal’s son Shovon and cousin Anwar, while another referred to the lawmaker’s brothers and nephews.
Shovon denied any involvement in the incident, saying he had remained at home that day and describing Ullash as his distant uncle. 
The allegations against him and others have not been independently established. Ullash was taken to Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex for treatment following the incident.
The incident followed an earlier intervention by the local administration over the same road project. 
Kumarkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Akhter said the administration had previously ordered the contractor to stop work following complaints about the use of substandard materials.
She said she visited the site on Saturday after the work allegedly resumed without permission and stopped the construction again.
“I went there and stopped the construction work. After I left, I heard that a journalist had been assaulted,” she said. Kumarkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Jamal Uddin confirmed that an altercation occurred while the journalist was collecting information and said Ullash was subsequently assaulted. 
Police went to the site and attempted to control the situation, he said, adding that those allegedly involved had been identified and legal proceedings were under way.
The incident has drawn concern among journalists in Kushtia, who have demanded an investigation and legal action against those responsible.
Kumarkhali Press Club President Khondokar Mofizur Rahman MR Shahin said journalists were preparing to file a case and could stage demonstrations if action was not taken within 24 hours.
Kushtia Police Super Aminul Islam told the Daily Sun that those allegedly involved had been identified and that action would be taken in accordance with the law. He said a case was being prepared for filing.