Four journalists, including a correspondent of TIMES of Bangladesh, were allegedly detained, beaten, and deprived of their mobile phones while returning from covering an administrative drive against illegal sand extraction in Palashbari, Gaibandha, on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred in the Ambari area along the Palashbari-Ghoraghat road. The victims also alleged that the attackers forcefully handed them money and filmed video clips.
The injured journalists are Anwar Hossain Shamim, correspondent of TIMES of Bangladesh; Khondakar Rafiqul Islam Rafiq, correspondent of daily Desh Rupantor; Tajrul Islam, staff reporter of local Jonoshena newspaper; and Pappu Sarkar, journalist.
They are currently receiving treatment at Gaibandha General Hospital.
Earlier in the afternoon, a mobile court led by Aminul Islam Bulbul, upazila executive officer (UNO) of Palashbari, and Md Al Yasa Rahman Tapadar, assistant commissioner (land), conducted a drive at a site where illegally extracted sand had been stored.
The mobile court seized the stored sand alongside four sand-laden tractors.
Following the drive, the journalists gathered news and were returning home in a CNG-driven auto-rickshaw when nine individuals riding three motorcycles intercepted their vehicle. The attackers forcibly took the journalists into a room, locked the door, and assaulted them.
Their mobile phones were seized and turned off, after which the assailants forcefully put money in their hands while recording video footage.
According to allegations made by the victim journalists, a group of 10 to 15 individuals led by Sohel Rashid Hridoy, member secretary of upazila Chhatra Dal, and Md Majedul Islam, member secretary of Palashbari College Chhatra Dal, carried out the attack.
Akhtar Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Palashbari Police Station, said he was aware of the incident, calling it very unfortunate, and added that legal action would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint.
Aminul Islam Bulbul, upazila executive officer (UNO), said he heard about the journalists being detained and beaten, and noted that the seized vehicles had been released.
