Attacks on journalists spark protests

Journalists cutting across the opinion lines on Tuesday demanded arrest of attackers on reporters and photographers who covered student demonstrations pressing for safety on roads, within 72 hours.
The journalists voiced their demand from separate human chains one formed in front of the National Press Club and another at the Karwan Bazar intersection in the capital.
At the human chain held in front of the National Press Club, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists faction led by Molla Jalal announced that journalists would on Saturday hold countrywide protests against the attackers if the offenders were not arrested within 72 hours.
Students of Stamford University Bangladesh’s Media Studies Department also took part in the demonstration in front of the National press Club.
The demonstration at Karwan Bazar was participated by journalists from print and electronic media.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in a statement condemned the attacks on journalists.
New Age Jahangirnagar University correspondent reported that Jahangirnagar University Journalist Association on Tuesday protested against the attacks.
Today, Jahangirnagar University Teachers Association would form a human chain at the Central Shaheed Minar on the campus to press the demand of safety on roads, said a press release signed by the association’s general secretary Bashir Ahmed.
On Sunday, nearly two dozen photojournalists and reporters of newspapers and TV channels were physically assaulted while they were covering school children’s peaceful demonstration demanding safe roads.
Among the victims of the assaults were Associated Press’s photographer, Prothom Alo’s reporter and a freelance photojournalist.
They were mercilessly beaten up by helmet wearing stick wielding political activists who came on motor cycles in the presence of police who did nothing to protect the victims.
Allegedly activists of the ruling Awami League the attackers swooped on the journalists with sharp weapons at the Zigatola intersection in the capital.
Journalist leader Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, BFUJ faction secretary general Shaban Mahmood, DUJ faction president Abu Jafar Surjo, its secretary Sohel Haider Chowdhury and Dhaka Reporters Unity president Saiful Islam spoke among others at Tuesday’s demonstration in front of the National Press Club.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net