Shariatpur BNP leader accused of assaulting journalists now files extortion complaint against them

A BNP leader -- who allegedly assaulted three journalists on 25 August in Shariatpur while they were covering a protest outside the deputy commissioner's office -- has now filed an extortion complaint with police against several journalists.

Arifuzzaman Molla, joint general secretary of the Shariatpur district BNP, submitted the written complaint to Palong Model Police Station last night (26 August).

Palong Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shah Alam said Daily Adin's district correspondent Borkat Molla had submitted a written complaint over the alleged assault.

Arifuzzaman later filed a separate complaint accusing several journalists of extortion, he said.

"Both complaints are being scrutinised. If the allegations are found to be true, they will be registered as cases," he added.

The journalists said their complaint was submitted nearly 24 hours before Arifuzzaman's complaint but had yet to be registered.

How the dispute unfolded

The dispute began on 22 August, when the district administration demolished parts of the Shariatpur Press Club's boundary wall, according to local journalists.

According to them, they began protesting after the district administration demolished three sections of the wall without prior notice.

The following morning, Somoy TV journalist BM Israfil was allegedly assaulted while protesting the demolition.

Journalists said he suffered a fracture to his right wrist and alleged that Palash Sardar, son of Press Club President and district BNP Vice-President Abul Hossain Sardar, was involved.

On 23 August, journalists held a protest rally and human chain outside the deputy commissioner's office, demanding the removal of Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum.

During the programme, they surrounded the deputy commissioner as she passed through the area and protested against her.

Local journalists alleged that the incident angered a faction of the BNP.

On 25 August, a rally was held outside the deputy commissioner's office under the banner of "People from all walks of life in Shariatpur". Several district-level BNP leaders attended, according to local journalists.

The organisers claimed several hundred people joined the rally, where slogans were raised and banners displayed against journalists.

Around 10:30am, The Daily Star journalist Zahid Hasan, News24 and Jago News correspondent Bidhan Majumder and Daily Adin's district correspondent Borkat Molla went to the area to cover the programme.

The three journalists alleged that several people led by Arifuzzaman assaulted them.

Zahid and Bidhan said they were attacked while collecting news and that the attackers also tried to snatch their cameras.

Later that afternoon, Arifuzzaman was also accused of threatening several other journalists over the phone.

Journalists said they have an audio recording of a phone call in which Arifuzzaman allegedly threatened Palash Khan, president of Zajira Upazila Press Club and Shariatpur correspondent of Sonali News.

They claimed the voice in the recording was Arifuzzaman's and that the speaker could be heard threatening journalists and saying they were on a "list".

However, The Business Standard could not independently verify the authenticity of the audio.

Arifuzzaman could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

Complaints filed

On 23 August, Somoy TV journalist BM Israfil filed a case with Palong Model Police Station over the alleged assault. Palash Sardar, an accused in that case, later filed a counter-case against Israfil.

No one has been arrested in either case so far, according to police.

Yesterday evening, Daily Adin's district correspondent Borkat submitted a written complaint naming Arifuzzaman, Shariatpur district Swechchhasebak Dal President Aminur Rahman alias Aman and former Jubo League activist Rubel Madbar.

Two other journalists have also reportedly submitted written applications seeking to file GDs.

Borkat alleged that when he went to the police station to file the complaint, the OC avoided him and left the station.

He said attempts to contact the OC by phone were unsuccessful, while the superintendent of police also could not be reached.

After waiting at the station for a long time, he said, he submitted the written complaint to the officer on duty.

Borkat alleged that police were not providing them with assistance and that BNP leaders and activists were intimidating him and other journalists.

Shariatpur Press Club General Secretary Nurul Amin said the alleged attacks, threats against journalists and demolition of parts of the Press Club's boundary wall were deeply concerning.

"It is in no way acceptable for journalists to be attacked, threatened or harassed while carrying out their professional duties," he added.

He also said concern among journalists had increased further because the written complaint over the alleged assault had not been registered as a case.

BNP denies involvement

Shariatpur district BNP Vice-President Sirajul Haque Molla said some "accomplices of the fascists" had created a mob under the guise of journalism and behaved improperly towards the deputy commissioner.

He said BNP also joined the public protest against such behaviour.

However, he claimed the party had no information that any BNP leader had assaulted journalists.

"One leader said some inappropriate things to a journalist in anger, which was unfortunate and regrettable. The matter will be investigated, and organisational action will be taken," he added.