Journalist reportedly attacked with hammer in Kuakata

A journalist was attacked in Kuakata, Patuakhali, allegedly over a news report he published. The assault took place around 11pm on Friday in front of the Sea Beach Hotel in the Kuakata tourist centre. Locals rescued him in an injured state and took him to the 20-bed Kuakata Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was later transferred to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal for advanced treatment.

The injured journalist is KM Bacchu. He serves as the local correspondent for a national daily and is also the president of the Kuakata Tourist Boat Owners' Association.

The victim's younger brother, Sohag Khalifa, alleged that Bayezid, religious affairs secretary of the municipal youth wing of BNP's student body; Shahid Sikdar, president of the municipal student wing in Ward No. 8; and local Harun Mollah, along with several others, were involved in the attack. According to eyewitnesses, KM Bacchu was speaking with someone when Bayezid approached him and became embroiled in an argument over a report he had published. His associates then attacked Bacchu with sticks and a hammer, injuring his head and other parts of his body. When the attackers fled, locals took him to the hospital. Attempts to contact the accused by phone for comment were unsuccessful.

Kuakata Hospital's medical officer, Abdul Baten, confirmed that Bacchu had multiple injury marks on his body.

Regarding the matter, Kuakata municipal student wing convener Jobayer Ahmed and municipal youth wing president Syed Mohammad Faruk said that if anyone from their organisations is found involved after investigation, organisational action will be taken.

Mohipur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Shamim Haolader said police have already visited the scene after learning of the incident and that legal action will be taken upon receiving a written complaint.