Two journos among four attacked

Four persons including two journalists were beaten up at Manikpara village of Nachole upazila in Chapainawabganj yesterday when they went to collect information on a Tangpara pond, over which there has been a "longstanding dispute" between a local businessman and ethnic communities.

The injured are: Anwar Hossain Dilu, a journalist of the Bangla daily Prothom Alo and member of Chapainawabganj Press Club; Abdur Rab Nahid, a correspondent of the local daily Gour Bangla; Aliuzzaman Kiron, vice president of Bandhu Sabha's Chapainawabganj chapter; and one Bongo Pal Sardar.

Six men including one Iqbal Hossain, all cohorts of businessman T Islam, beat them around 1:00pm when they

went to the village to collect information and take photos of the pond, according to Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Nachole Police Station Fasiruddin and the victims.

They also snatched two cell phones and broke their cameras, alleged the victims.

Anwar was admitted to Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital, while the other three took first aid.

On August 23, Islam, who claimed ownership of the pond, filed a case against Anwar and 23 others with the chief judicial magistrate's court, accusing them of killing fish after pouring poison into the pond.

Earlier, Kutila Rajoar, an ethnic community leader, filed another case with Sadar police against the businessman on a similar charge.