Journalist assaulted by Sramik Dal leader at Dohar Upazila Health Complex over ticket dispute
Photo Collected
A journalist was assaulted on Saturday at the Dohar Upazila Health Complex following a dispute over ticket queues, allegedly involving a local labor union leader. The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m., caused significant alarm among patients and staff at the medical facility.
The victim, Nurul Islam Tanim, a correspondent for the daily newspaper Kalbela, reported that he was attacked after questioning the conduct of Abdur Razzak, the General Secretary of the Dohar municipal unit of the Sramik Dal. According to witnesses, the altercation began when Razzak and a group of outsiders bypassed a line reserved for female patients to secure tickets. When Ansar personnel stationed at the facility attempted to intervene, Razzak allegedly subjected them to verbal abuse.
Islam, who was present at the scene, attempted to inquire about the disruption. Upon identifying himself as a journalist, he was reportedly confronted by Razzak. Witnesses and a video recording of the incident show Razzak striking Islam with a bag and punching him multiple times. Despite Islam repeatedly asserting his professional identity, the assault continued until other local union leaders, including Mahabubur Rahman, intervened to de-escalate the situation.
Following the assault, Islam received primary medical treatment at the same health complex. Abdul Awal, the President of the Dohar Upazila Sramik Dal, who was reportedly with Razzak during the incident, denied participating in the assault. Awal claimed that he attempted to restrain Razzak, characterizing the altercation as a misunderstanding. Attempts to reach Razzak for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile phone remained switched off.
Masud Parvez, General Secretary of the Dohar Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), condemned the incident, stating that such behavior is not tolerated by the party. He promised that an internal investigation would be conducted and appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against those found responsible.
Dohar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Bakr Siddique confirmed that a formal complaint has been filed by the journalist. Police have initiated a legal process to address the allegations of assault.
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