2 journalists stabbed after alleged drug dealers attack media team in Savar

Two journalists were stabbed and several others assaulted after an alleged drug syndicate attacked a television news team during a reporting assignment in Savar's Rajashon area this afternoon (22 May).

The incident took place around 3:30pm in West Rajashon when senior reporter of Desh TV Taifur Rahman Tuhin, cameraman Kaiyum, driver Zainal and Savar correspondent of SA TV Saddam Hossain, came under attack allegedly led by listed drug trader Shamim and his associates.

Police later rescued the injured and sent them to hospital for treatment.

Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arman Ali told The Business Standard that police responded immediately after receiving information about the incident.

"The injured were rescued and sent to hospital under police supervision. Four people involved in the attack have been detained from the scene," the OC said.

"Operations are ongoing to arrest the main accused Shamim and others involved. Legal procedures are also underway," he added.

According to the victims, the attackers stabbed Tuhin and Saddam, beat the entire team indiscriminately, vandalised a car belonging to Desh TV, and snatched cameras, cash, wallets and other equipment.

The attackers also allegedly detained the journalists inside a nearby garage and attempted to force them to sign a written undertaking before police arrived.

Speaking to TBS from hospital, injured journalist Tuhin said the team had gone to the area on an assignment related to drug trafficking and the spread of narcotics.

"We were collecting statements from locals and gathering information. While leaving the area, we briefly stopped in a lane known for Shamim's drug operations to capture footage of CCTV cameras installed there by the syndicate," he said.

"As I stepped out of the car after someone approached us to talk, Shamim and around 40 to 50 people armed with local weapons suddenly attacked us," Tuhin added.

"They vandalised our vehicle, beat us indiscriminately, stabbed me in the stomach and back, stabbed Saddam near the eye, and took away all our belongings and equipment. Later they dragged us into Shamim's garage and tortured us there as well."

Tuhin further alleged that the attackers refused to let them leave for treatment immediately.

"When we begged to be allowed to go to hospital, Shamim told us police were coming and that we would have to sign a written undertaking before leaving. Later police arrived and rescued us," he said.

Injured journalist Saddam Hossain said he had previously reported on Shamim's alleged involvement in drug trading.

"Recently I did two separate reports on Shamim. Tuhin later contacted me to work on another report regarding drug expansion in the area," he said from the hospital.

"At one stage during the attack, Shamim pointed a pistol at me and attempted to shoot. Another person stabbed me three times, including near my eye," Saddam alleged.

Dr Sonia Rahman, medical officer (emergency department) at Savar Upazila Health Complex, said both journalists suffered stab wounds on their bodies.

"Tuhin is currently stable. But Saddam sustained a serious injury near the eye, so we referred him to the National Institute of Ophthalmology," she said.

According to Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sources, a raid was conducted in the same area on 10 May targeting Shamim based on secret information. Although Shamim managed to escape, three associates were arrested with a foreign pistol, heroin, yaba and cannabis.

Shamim operates the drug business through associates instead of directly keeping narcotics in his possession. They also said multiple cases are pending against him at Savar and Ashulia police stations.