Tensions boiled over outside the district administration offices in Shariatpur as three professional journalists were allegedly assaulted, harassed, and threatened by political activists while discharging their reporting duties. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning during a demonstration organised by local members of the Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, sparking profound concern among media circles regarding press freedom and the safety of reporters operating in the region.
The victims of the physical assault have been identified as Bidhan Majumder Ani, district correspondent for News Twenty Four; Zahid Hasan Rony, local representative for The Daily Star covering Shariatpur and Madaripur; and Barkat Ullah, correspondent for Dainik Eadin. According to eyewitness accounts and statements from the injured journalists, the altercation took place right outside the compound of the deputy commissioner’s office where a political rally was underway.
The confrontation followed a series of escalating local disputes. Several days prior, the district administration had demolished the boundary walls of the Shariatpur Press Club without issuing prior written notice. In protest against the demolition, local journalists staged a human chain and a protest demonstration outside the administrative building on Sunday, during which participants voiced sharp criticisms of the local administration. In response to those demonstrations, BNP and associate organisation leaders organised a counter-rally on Tuesday morning, alleging that media personnel had acted improperly by targeting the administration.
As the political gathering commenced, the three journalists arrived at the scene to collect news footage and document the proceedings. Witnesses stated that supporters led by former district Jubo Dal president Arifuzzaman Molla quickly turned hostile towards the reporters. Bidhan Majumder Ani was the first to be targeted, facing sudden physical aggression before managing to escape with the assistance of bystanders. Shortly afterward, Zahid Hasan Rony and Barkat Ullah were also accosted while filming the event. Rony reported that his press identification card and mobile phone were forcibly seized, and he was coerced into deleting his recorded video footage.
Following the incident, when contacted by a member of the press for comments regarding the allegations, Arifuzzaman Molla allegedly issued direct threats over the telephone. Recorded statements indicated that the political leader warned reporters of further repercussions, stating that additional individuals were targeted and cautioning them to remain prepared.
Local press leadership reacted swiftly to the violence. Shariatpur Press Club President Abul Hossain Sardar issued a strong condemnation of the attacks, demanding a thorough and impartial inquiry to bring the perpetrators to justice. Conversely, district BNP Vice-President Shah Mohammad Abdus Salam defended the political rally, asserting that the demonstration was organised because certain media workers had allegedly behaved inappropriately toward government representatives. However, he claimed no direct knowledge of any physical assaults occurring during the gathering.
Local law enforcement authorities have acknowledged the situation. Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Tanveer Hossain stated that police officials became aware of the incident through media reports and confirmed that formal legal action would be initiated upon receiving a written complaint from the affected journalists.
