A journalist has been beaten by a Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader in Thakurgaon over publishing a report on extortion.
The assaulted journalist, Mamunur Rashid, is a reporter of Dainik Desh Bangla.
The incident occurred Tuesday evening at Kalibari Bazar (market) at Akhangar union of Sadar upazila in the district.
Later the Thakurgaon district BNP suspended the accused leader, Jubaidur Chowdhury, from the organisation.
Jubaidur was vice-president of the Akhangar union BNP.
After the incident, Mamunur was admitted to the Thakurgaon 250-Bed Hospital with injuries. A complaint was filed with the Ruhia police station in this connection.
According to witnesses, Jubaidur and his associates launched an attack on Mamunur at a tea stall at the market. Mamunur was brutally beaten, they said.
Protesting at the attack, local journalists staged a one-hour sit-in in front of the hospital, demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.
In a statement, Mamunur said, 鈥楢 few months ago, I published a report on Jubaidur鈥檚 extortion activities. Since then, he has been threatening me over phone. On the day of the incident, he launched a planned attack to kill me. I demand exemplary punishment of him.鈥�
Jubaidur said, 鈥楾he journalist wrote against me. So should I not beat him? He wasn鈥檛 beaten enough!鈥�
Nur Aftab Rupom, the focal person of human rights organisation Odhikar, said, 鈥榃e stand by Mamunur. The authorities must arrest the attackers without delay.鈥�
Ruhia thana press club president Badal Mia and Thakurgaon press club president Lutfor Rahman Mithu condemned the attack and demanded exemplary punishment of the attackers.
Rakibul Islam Chayon, the resident medical officer at the Thakurgaon 250-Bed Hospital, said, 鈥楳amunur sustained severe injuries, especially on his throat and groin.鈥�
Ruhia Police Station officer-in-charge AKM Nazmul Kader said, 鈥榃e have received a complaint about the attack and are working to apprehend the accused as soon as possible.鈥�
Ruhia upazila BNP president Jabbar said, 鈥楾he attack on Mamunur is unfortunate. We will take appropriate action in this matter.鈥�
