'AL men' attack 2 journos at court

Two journalists were injured in an attack allegedly by followers of an Awami League leader in Sylhet court area yesterday morning.

The injured are Nirananda Paul, video journalist of Jamuna TV, and Mamun Hasan, photo journalist of the daily Jugantor.

The attack was allegedly carried out by the followers of Liaquat Ali, general secretary of Jaintiapur upazila Awami League, who was denied bail in a murder case at a Sylhet court yesterday.

The journalists were recording video footages and taking photos of Liaquat and 29 others while they were being taken to jail, said witnesses. Around 50 followers of Liaquat attacked them, and also broke their cameras.

They were rescued by other journalists and were taken to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. Nirananda received severe head injuries. Mamun was given primary treatment.

Abdul Wahab, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said being informed, police rushed to the spot. “No one has been detained yet. We are looking into the matter.”

Mahfuzur Rahman, additional public prosecutor of the court, said Liaquat and 29 others are accused in a case filed over a clash between two groups of Awami League at Sreepur stone quarry on December 3 last year. The clash left one person dead.

Yesterday, the court denied their bail and ordered the police to take them to jail, the APP said. “Suddenly their followers attacked the journalists on the court premises while covering the news,” he added.