Journalist Assault Sparks Condemnation in Kalapara

A journalist was allegedly assaulted by several activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali on Saturday night, reportedly in retaliation for news reports he had published. The incident has drawn condemnation from political leaders, prompted a police investigation, and renewed concerns over the safety of journalists carrying out their professional duties.

The attack took place at around 8:30 pm on the main road adjacent to the municipal fish market in Kalapara town.

The injured journalist, Moazzem Hossain, 40, is an assistant teacher at a local school and serves as the Kalapara correspondent for the national daily Ajker Patrika. Following the assault, local residents rescued him and took him to Kalapara Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Moazzem alleged that he had been sitting at a mobile phone shop at approximately 8:00 pm when a group of seven to eight people attacked him in two separate phases. He claimed that the group was led by Amirul Islam Fahim, general secretary of the Kalapara Upazila unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, and Bellal, general secretary of the Government Mozahar Uddin Biswas College unit of the organisation.

According to the journalist, the assault was directly linked to his professional work.

He said that on 21 June, several media outlets carried reports concerning an attack on his sister’s residence in the Sluice area of Kalapara. He believes the publication of those reports triggered the assault against him.

Moazzem alleged that the attackers targeted him because of the coverage and that he sustained serious injuries during the incident. Local people intervened after the attack and arranged for his immediate transfer to hospital.

Attempts were made to contact Amirul Islam Fahim for comment regarding the allegations. However, although reached by telephone, he declined to speak about the matter.

Meanwhile, Mozahar Uddin Biswas, president of the Government Mozahar Uddin Biswas College unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, denied any involvement. He said he was currently in Barishal sitting his LLB examinations and had only learned about the incident afterwards.

Claiming that he had previously been the target of conspiracies, he maintained that neither he nor his organisation had any connection with the attack.

District Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Member Secretary Zakaria Ahmed described the incident as regrettable. He said the organisation was gathering information about the allegations and would take organisational action if any of its members were found to have been involved.

Kalapara Upazila BNP President Haji Humayun Sikder also condemned the attack. He said he had visited the injured journalist at the hospital and stressed that violence against members of the media was unacceptable under any circumstances.

He added that both political and organisational action would be taken against anyone proven to have participated in the assault.

Patuakhali-4 Member of Parliament ABM Mosharraf Hossain said he had been informed of the incident and that inquiries were already under way. He stated that no one found responsible would be spared.

Kalapara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Nazrul Islam confirmed that police were treating the matter seriously. He said an investigation was in progress and that officers were examining the allegations to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack before taking further legal action.

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns over the security of journalists in Bangladesh, particularly those reporting on sensitive local issues. Press freedom advocates have repeatedly emphasised that journalists must be able to carry out their professional responsibilities without fear of intimidation or violence. As the investigation continues, attention will remain focused on whether those responsible are identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law.