Jamaat men attack journos: What happened there after procession?

Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir, a multimedia reporter for the daily Sakal, was beaten up by Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital on Tuesday morning. At least 10 journalists were reportedly assaulted, including Maruf Hossain, a multimedia reporter for The News. The incident took place on the day of the 77th founding anniversary of the banned Awami League, when a rally was held in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 on the initiative of Jamaat's Dhaka Metropolitan South branch.

Awami League leaders had announced the procession program on social media on the day of the party's founding anniversary while in hiding. Members of the law enforcement agencies were quick to respond. Various parties, including the main opposition party in parliament, Jamaat, announced to be on the ground with a program to stop the Awami League.

As announced, a Jamaat procession left Kalabagan at around 8:30 am today. The procession passed through the Sobhanbagh Mosque area and ended in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road 32 at around 8:45 am. Jamaat leaders held a rally there after the procession.

Several leaders were giving speeches during the rally. The journalists present requested that it would be easier to gather news if a few responsible people gave speeches. In response, one speaker said, "Everyone's statements must be taken, otherwise they will have to leave."

Mahfuzur Rahman Shishir protested this comment. He later told reporters, "I protest and say, why are you talking to us like this? We are not your workers. After that, I was beaten up by being called an accomplice of tyranny."

He said that he was thrown on the road and beaten, punched and kicked.

After the attack, other journalists rescued him and took him to a nearby private hospital. After treatment, he was sent home. When contacted on Shishir's mobile at around 11:30 am, one of his roommates said that Shishir was taking rest after returning from the hospital. He gets injuries on his face and doctors advised him to rest.

Later in the afternoon, Shishir spoke to the media. He said, “Jamaat workers beat me up and injured me whuch is shameful.” Criticizing Jamaat-e-Islami, he further said, “You (Jamaat-e-Islami) talk about freedom of the press. Is grabbing a journalist by the collar and beating him an example of your freedom?”

Maruf Hossain, a multimedia reporter for The News, said, “We were also attacked while trying to protect Shishir. Jamaat leaders and activists attacked the journalists on two occasions. At one stage, they even tried to take Shishir away.” He alleged that although police and RAB members were present at the scene, they did not take any action.

Jobayer Hossain, a multimedia reporter from Anandabazar, also said, “Jamaat leaders and activists were behaving very aggressively. They wanted to take Shishir away.’

Local Jamaat leaders Mustafizur Rahman, Mujahidul Islam Shahin, Anisuzzaman and Jahinur Rahman were seen present in the video of the procession and rally.

When asked about these matters, Dhanmondi Police Station OC Saiful Islam told the media that he was not aware of the matter.

Shortly before 2:30 pm, the party’s central working committee member and Dhaka Metropolitan South unit Assistant Secretary Muhammad Delwar Hossain issued a statement expressing regret over the incident. He told reporters at noon, ‘An unwanted incident occurred in Dhanmondi due to a misunderstanding.’