Dhaka Stream journo alleges abduction attempt in Moghbazar on way home from office

A journalist at new media outlet Dhaka Stream has alleged that he was the target of an attempted abduction at the Moghbazar intersection in the capital on Monday night (4 May).

The victim, Ataur Rahman, is a senior reporter at Dhaka Stream.

Describing the incident, Ataur said he was returning home after office in Panthapath around 10:15pm, accompanied by his former colleague Mohir Maroof.

"As we crossed the road, Maroof was looking for a rickshaw. At that time, a man got down from a vehicle (Dhaka Metro-Gha: 11-9899) carrying a stick and tried to force me into the car with the intention of abducting," he said.

"When I resisted, three more men came out of the vehicle and tried to push me inside. They also physically assaulted me. When people nearby intervened, they tried to create confusion by accusing me of verbally abusing them. Failing to abduct me, they fled the scene in the car," he added.

Witness Mohir Maroof, who is currently working at UNB, said he noticed a black private car stop at the signal, followed by a man getting out from the front seat and attempting to force Ataur into the vehicle.

"I ran to call the traffic police on duty at the signal. By the time we returned, four men were trying to take him away. When passersby joined and resisted, they instead blamed Ataur, claiming he had abused them. He identified himself as a journalist, but they physically assaulted him before fleeing," he said.

Other witnesses also said the attackers suddenly stopped their vehicle and tried to force a man inside, but fled when a crowd gathered.

Officer-in-Charge of Hatirjheel Police Station Asaduzzaman said a complaint has been filed over the incident.

"An officer has been assigned to investigate the matter. We have been instructed to collect CCTV footage from the scene, and the vehicle number has been identified. The investigation is ongoing," he said.

The complaint was filed with Hatirjheel Police Station on Tuesday.