Case filed over attack on DUJA prez, journo

A case was filed with Shahbagh Police Station over attacking on journalists of Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA). 

DUJA President Al Sadi Bhuiyan filed the case on Wednesday night accusing three local BNP leaders and 40 to 50 unidentified men.

According to the case statement, Al Sadi and Nahid Hasan, a staff reporter of Jagonews24.com, went to the Banga Islamia Super Market at Shahbagh on August 3 for shopping where they were attacked by 40-50 people, under the command of three local BNP leaders.

The victim Al Sadi said, "We went to the market at around 4:30 PM. Syed Asiful Islam Sajal, son of the market owner, was our acquaintance. We went to his office on the 4th floor of the market. At around 5:00 PM, 40 to 50 unidentified people led by Rafikul Islam Swapon, member secretary of Ward No 20 under the Shabagh Thana BNP, Abul Hossen Tabu, husband of former local councillor Syeda Roksana Islam Chamely and Masud Yusuf, joint convener of the same unit under the Shabagh Thana BNP forcibly entered the room".

"They asked us to introduce ourselves. Although we told them we were guests, showed our press identity cards and introduced myself as a DU student, they beat us up and others present in the office mercilessly with sticks, brick chips, iron rods and local weapons with an aim to kill us."

Later on, members of DUJA and DU students rescued them and brought them to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Al Sadi said.

The other victim Nahid said the attackers snatched two of his cell phones, money bag containing five ATM cards, press identity card, national identity card and cash Tk 15,000 while they took away one mobile phone of Al Sadi.

DU Proctor while visiting Al Sadi and Nahid at the university's medical centre condemned the attack and requested the police to take stern action.

Anti-discrimination Student Movement immediately held a protest rally on the campus on Tuesday night.

Among others, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Bangladesh Students' Union issued press releases protesting the attack and demanded exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.

The investigation officer of the case sub-inspector Saimul Islam told the Daily Observer that police was investigating and trying to apprehend the accused.