Members of the Kishoreganj press community formed a human chain demanding justice. after two journalists were attacked while collecting news about the auction at the historic Pagla Mosque. They also demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and exemplary punishment. During the human chain, the Kishoreganj journalist community issued a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible for the attack.
The human chain was held on Friday (March 6) at around 11:30 a.m. at Kalibari Square in the district town. It was organized by the journalists of Kishoreganj. Members and leaders of different journalists’ organizations—including Kishoreganj Journalists Forum, Kishoreganj Press Club, Kishoreganj District Press Club, and Kishoreganj District Journalists Union—participated in the program. Besides journalists, leaders from political parties and members of civil society also joined the event.
During the program, journalist leaders strongly condemned the brutal attack that occurred while the journalists were performing their professional duties. They demanded an end to violence against journalists and called for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
The injured journalists in the incident are Khairul Alam Faisal (37), Kishoreganj district correspondent of Channel 24, and Foyzul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku (42), district correspondent of Global Television. Both of them previously served as joint general secretaries of the Kishoreganj Journalists Forum.
According to sources, various donated items at the historic Pagla Mosque are auctioned every day after the Asr prayer. A local syndicate had allegedly been purchasing these donated items at low prices for a long time. Four journalists, including the two victims, went to the spot to collect news about the activities of this syndicate. At that time, members of an influential syndicate group suddenly created a mob and carried out a brutal attack on them. As a result, Khairul Alam Faisal and Foyzul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku were seriously injured.
Later, members of Ansar on duty at the mosque rescued the injured journalists and took them to the hospital. They later returned home after receiving primary treatment.
Meanwhile, regarding the attack, victim journalist Foyzul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku filed an attempted murder case at Kishoreganj Sadar Model Police Station on Thursday night, naming eight people and accusing another eight to ten unidentified individuals. Police have already arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
Demanding justice for the attack, Kishoreganj Press Club President Nasim Khan said that the attack on journalists is extremely unfortunate. He stated that such attacks and acts of violence against journalists are unacceptable. He urged law enforcement agencies and the state to ensure the safety of journalists while they perform their professional duties and to bring the attackers to justice after reviewing the video footage.
At the human chain, President of the Kishoreganj Journalists Forum Nur Mohammad said that the attack on journalists while they were collecting news is disgraceful. He added that such incidents pose a threat to free media and are a warning sign for the entire nation. He demanded that the criminals be brought under the law quickly and given exemplary punishment.
Former Member Secretary of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Faisal Prince also condemned the attack on journalists and urged the administration to bring the criminals under the law immediately and ensure proper justice.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kishoreganj Sadar Model Police Station Mohammad Abul Kamal Bhuiyan said that victim journalist Foyzul Islam Bhuiyan Pinku filed a case at the police station regarding the attack. Police have arrested two suspects named Jibon and Mona in connection with the incident. He added that police operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and expressed hope that they would be arrested soon.
Md. Mizanur Rahman Shaheen
Kishoreganj Correspondent