3 journos assaulted after covering arson attack

Three journalists were assaulted and their cameras snatched after covering an arson attack in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat on Friday, police said.

The injured journalists are Faruk Ahmed Surjo, 41, Lalmonirhat district correspondent of Dainik Bhorer Chetona; Khairul Kabir, 40, district correspondent of Dainik Janobani; and Rabbani Islam, 28, district correspondent of Dainik Gonatadanta.

Locals rescued them and admitted them to Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. Samina Hossain Chowdhury, resident medical officer, said the journalists suffered injuries and their condition was stable.

The attack took place in the Saptibari Bazar area when the journalists were returning after reporting on an arson attack on a house, said Ali Akbar, officer-in-charge of Aditmari Police Station.

The attackers also made off with two cameras worth around Tk 1.05 lakh, the victims said.

Faruk has filed a written complaint, naming 20 individuals, OC Ali Akbar said.

Police are conducting raids to apprehend the suspects.

The house set on fire is of an individual who earlier accused a man named Muhammad Habib of attempted rape, the OC said, adding that the accused had recently been released on bail after spending a month in jail.

He and his associates might have set the house on fire, he added. Faruk told The Daily Star that while returning from the scene, the journalists were assaulted by Habib and his men.

"They beat us mercilessly," he added.

The woman, who filed the attempted rape case, also said, "Habib had been threatening us ever since he got out of jail on bail. Yesterday, he and his men torched our house. I have filed a complaint with the police."

Habib has reportedly gone into hiding, and his mobile phone remains switched off.

OC Ali Akbar confirmed receiving the complaint from the woman and said an investigation is underway.

"Legal action will be taken upon completion of the probe," he added.