Journos sue 157 RMCH interns

In this April 20 Star photo, journalists stage a sit-in in front of emergency department of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital protesting intern doctors' attack on them that left 10 journalists injured.

Journalists have sued at least 157 interns of Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) on charges of attacking journalists and damaging their laptops and cameras. 

The RMCH interns beat up at least 10 journalists and damaged their laptops and cameras at the hospital Sunday night. 

President of Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association Rajshahi unit Asaduzzaman filed a case against seven named and 150 unnamed interns with Rajpara Police Station around 11:30pm, reports our correspondent quoting Khan Mohammad Erfan, officer-in-charge of the police station.

The accused interns whose names have been mentioned in the case are Mithu, Obaidul, Shamim, Subrata, Polash, Nayan and Roni.         

After few moments, cameraman of ATN News Mahfuzur Rahman Rubel filed another case against 150 unnamed interns, the OC said.

In their complaints, the plaintiffs also mentioned that the interns snatched sticks from police when the law enforcers were escorting the media people to the hospital to cover news.

Among the injured journalists, the condition of Tarek Mahmud Rassel, cameraman of Jamuna TV, was stated to be critical. He is now undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Dhaka.

The attackers also smashed two cameras of the journalists.

The incident began Sunday night when a relative of a patient slapped an intern, following a brawl over a doctor's alleged negligence to treat patients.