Journalists and citizens in Chapainawabganj formed a human chain on Monday demanding justice for attacks on two journalists.
The protesters demanded exemplary punishment for the attackers on Somoy TV journalist Jahangir Alam and Ekhon TV journalist Sohan Mahmud on the line of duty.
The demonstration took place in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Media professionals from various organisations and people from different walks of life joined the programme.
The human chain was presided over by CJF vice-president and 71 TV journalist AKS Rokon. Speakers included Chapainawabganj Television Journalists Association general secretary and Jamuna TV journalist Monowar Hossain Jewel, Maasranga TV journalist Dabla Kumar Ghosh, former general secretary of Rajshahi Press Club Advocate Aslam-Ud-Doula, Advocate Nure Alam Siddique Asad, and Ekhon TV journalist Sohan.
CJF president and News24 journalist Rafiqul Alam, who is currently abroad for medical treatment, condemned the attack over phone.
Speakers said a group of 20 to 25 assailants, led by a man named Shubho, attacked the two journalists during news coverage. Even after the journalists identified themselves, they were beaten and verbally abused.
The speakers warned that if such attacks continue unchecked, it will have dire consequences for the country. They urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice immediately.
On 27 November, journalists Jahangir Alam and Sohan Mahmud were filming a torch procession at Rahanpur College intersection in Gomastapur, where BNP supporters were protesting and demanding the cancellation of a particular candidate’s nomination.
Supporters of Aminul Islam, the initially nominated BNP candidate for Chapainawabganj-2 (Nachole, Gomastapur and Bholahat), allegedly assaulted and harassed the journalists despite recognising their press identity.
