Journalist Assault Allegation Rocks Patuakhali

A journalist in Bangladesh’s Patuakhali district has alleged that he was brutally assaulted by activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in what he claims was a targeted attack linked to an earlier dispute.

The victim, Md. Moazzem Hossain, 40, serves as an assistant teacher at Nur Mohammad Secondary School in Kalapara and is also the Kalapara correspondent for Ajker Patrika. The alleged assault took place at around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday on Sadar Road, adjacent to the municipal fish market in Kalapara.

According to Moazzem Hossain, he was sitting inside a mobile phone shop when a group of 10 to 12 JCD activists allegedly approached him. He claims the group, led by Kalapara Upazila JCD General Secretary Amirul Islam, also known as Fahim, and Bellal Hossain, General Secretary of the Government Mojahar Uddin Biswas College unit of JCD, called him outside before launching a violent attack.

He alleged that he was knocked to the ground and repeatedly beaten. After managing to escape into the shop in an attempt to protect himself, the attackers allegedly dragged him back onto the street and assaulted him for a second time. The attack left him with injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

Local residents rushed to his aid after the attackers fled the scene. He was initially taken to Kalapara Upazila Health Complex, where doctors provided emergency treatment. Given the seriousness of his condition, he was referred later that night to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for specialised care.

Speaking after the incident, Moazzem Hossain alleged that the assault was connected to an earlier attack on 21 June. On that occasion, the home and business premises of his brother-in-law, Anisur Rahman, in the Badurtali area of Kalapara were allegedly attacked. His family had also accused Bellal Hossain of involvement in that incident. Moazzem believes the latest assault was carried out as a continuation of that dispute and said he now fears for his personal safety.

Bellal Hossain rejected the allegations. He stated that he was in Barishal sitting for his LLB examinations when the incident occurred and only learned about it afterwards. He also claimed that false accusations had previously been brought against him as part of a conspiracy and insisted that he had no involvement in the alleged attack.

Meanwhile, Amirul Islam, also known as Fahim, declined to comment when approached regarding the allegations.

Patuakhali District JCD Member Secretary Zakaria Ahmed described the incident as regrettable and confirmed that the organisation was gathering information. He said disciplinary action would be taken if any party member was found responsible following an internal review.

Following news of the assault, Kalapara Upazila BNP President Humayun Sikder visited Moazzem Hossain at Kalapara Upazila Health Complex. Condemning the incident, he said violence against journalists was unacceptable under any circumstances and assured that organisational action would be taken against anyone proven to have been involved.

Medical Officer Abdul Malek of Kalapara Upazila Health Complex said the injured journalist was unable to speak properly when he arrived at the hospital. Although no external wound was found on his head, he had sustained a head injury consistent with being beaten and had multiple injuries across his body. Doctors decided to transfer him to Barishal for further evaluation and treatment.

Kalapara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nazrul Islam said the authorities were treating the matter with due importance and had begun an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.

The alleged assault has drawn attention to concerns over the safety of journalists carrying out their professional duties. As the investigation continues, both law enforcement authorities and the political organisation whose members have been accused say they are examining the matter, while the victim continues to receive medical treatment.