NSI is carrying out an investigation into the incident, and has agreed to meet also the other demands of the journalists, NSI DG Rezzaqul Haider Chowdhury told a delegation of journalists at his office yesterday.

The journalists earlier had demanded punitive actions against the culprits, compensation for the property damages of the journalists, and medical expenses for the injured.

Jatiya Press Club (JPC) Secretary Shawkat Mahmud, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Elahi Newaj Khan, Bangladesh Photojournalists Association (BPJA) President AKM Mohsin and its Secretary Mir Ahmed Miru were in the delegation that met the DG at his office.

NSI men on June 7 swooped on nine photojournalists and injured them when a daily Janakantha lensman was snapping shots in front of the intelligence outfits' office. They held two of the photojournalists at their office for hours and later handed them over to Ramna police at 4:30pm. They also filed a case against the lensmen the same evening.

The DG offered his sympathy for the injured journalists and promised to take initiatives to withdraw the case, said AKM Mohsin.

The NSI boss said the officials responsible for the attack would be disciplined if the probe finds them guilty, said a BPJA press release.

Meanwhile, Ramna police said they have yet to receive any official letter regarding the withdrawal of the case until filing of this report at 8:00pm. The officer-in-charge of the police station could not be reached for comment while deputy commissioner (South) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police could not say anything about the matter.

CONDEMNATION IN PARLIAMENT
Opposition lawmakers in parliament yesterday asked the government to take actions against the NSI men involved in the beating of photojournalists.

Raising the issue on a point of order, Krishok Sramik Janata League lawmaker Kader Siddiqui said, "Two photojournalists were beaten up badly by NSI men inside their office recently."

"It's ironic that the NSI had filed a case against those who were beaten up. Anisur Rahman, one of the injured, is still in hospital with injuries," he said, describing the case as false.

He also demanded an inquiry into the incident and punishment of the persons responsible for the assault.

The opposition lawmaker said country's security is under threat as the people who are responsible to maintain the national security are resorting to wrongdoing and falsehood.

Rawshan Ershad, the parliamentary party leader of the Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad), also mentioned the July 7 incident in her speech and demanded punishment of the culprits.