Shariatpur BNP leader accused of assaulting journalists and threatening further violence

SHARIATPUR — Three journalists were assaulted by supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday during a protest rally held at the District Commissioner’s office campus in Shariatpur. The incident has drawn sharp criticism, exacerbated by subsequent threats made by a senior party official against members of the press.

The victims—identified as The Daily Star correspondent Zahid Hasan, News24 and Jago News representative Bidhan Majumder, and Manabkantha district correspondent Barkat Molla—were attacked while covering a demonstration organized by the BNP. According to witnesses, the assault was led by Arifuzzaman Molla, the joint general secretary of the Shariatpur district unit of the BNP.

Following the attack, Polash Khan, president of the Jajira Upazila Press Club and a representative for Sonali News, contacted Arifuzzaman Molla by phone to inquire about the motive behind the violence. In an audio recording of the conversation, the BNP leader dismissed the grievances, threatening further physical attacks against journalists. Molla explicitly stated that journalists were on a “list” and warned Khan to prepare for similar consequences, questioning his whereabouts and using inflammatory language regarding the professional conduct of the press.

Polash Khan confirmed that he has formally briefed the local police regarding the incident and the death threats issued by Molla. He intends to file a formal legal complaint, citing the assault on his colleagues and the hostile environment created by the political leader’s remarks.

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The local police confirmed they are aware of the reports but are awaiting a formal complaint. Muhammad Mohiuddin Miraj, the Additional Superintendent of Police for the Naria and Sadar Circle, stated that legal action would be initiated once a written report is filed. Efforts to reach Arifuzzaman Molla for comment throughout Tuesday evening were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to multiple phone calls.

The tensions stem from a recent controversy involving the demolition of the Shariatpur Press Club’s boundary walls by the district administration last Saturday. Following that event, local journalist B.M. Israfil posted a protest on social media, which led to a separate attack against him. In response, local journalists staged a protest and human chain demanding the withdrawal of the District Commissioner.

The protest by the journalists reportedly angered a faction of the local BNP. On Tuesday morning, while the BNP was conducting a counter-rally under the banner of “all levels of Shariatpur district residents,” the three journalists arrived at the District Commissioner’s office to perform their professional duties, at which point they were targeted by the mob led by Molla.