Two journalists in the Hatibandha upazila of Lalmonirhat were physically assaulted on Friday afternoon while performing their professional duties.
The incident occurred at Doikhawa Haat as the victims were documenting evidence of excessive and illegal toll collection at the marketplace.
The injured media professionals have been identified as Asaduzzaman Saju, the district representative for Dainik Manab Kantha, and Abdur Rahim, a representative for Ananda TV.
Following the assault, Asaduzzaman Saju filed a formal case at the Hatibandha Police Station naming Nur Islam, the convener of Gotamari Union BNP, and Mujibur Rahman, a former leader of the Chhatra Dal, alongside several other unidentified individuals.
According to local sources and the victims, the journalists visited the market after receiving reports that tolls were being collected at rates far exceeding the government-sanctioned list.
Their investigation at the scene confirmed significant discrepancies; they discovered that Tk300 was being charged for the sale of a goat, despite the official rate being fixed at Tk110.
Similarly, used bicycles were being taxed at Tk400, even though the prescribed rate was only Tk121.
When the journalists attempted to film these irregularities, a group led by Nur Islam and Mujibur Rahman reportedly confronted them with aggression.
The assailants allegedly beat Asaduzzaman Saju and forcibly confiscated his mobile phone.
When Abdur Rahim tried to intervene to rescue his colleague, he was also harassed and physically assaulted.
The formal complaint further notes that the journalists were beaten a second time when they requested the return of the snatched mobile device.
A video documenting the incident has since come into the possession of TIMES of Bangladesh.
The assault has triggered widespread condemnation among local media professionals.
Anwar Hossain Swapan, the convener of the Lalmonirhat Press Club, described the attack as a direct blow to independent journalism and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Senior journalist S.R. Shariful Islam Ratan added that the journalistic community would launch a vigorous protest movement if the attackers are not brought to justice.
While Nur Islam could not be reached for comment, Md. Mosharraf Hossain, the convener of Hatibandha Upazila BNP, termed the incident “shameful”.
He assured that the party would take organisational action if the accused are found guilty. Ramzan Ali, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatibandha Police Station, confirmed that police were dispatched to the site and that operations are currently underway to arrest the suspects.
