Journalists attacked while covering at Ad-Din Hospital

Several journalists were assaulted while gathering information on the deaths of six newborns at Ad-Din Medical College Hospital in Dhaka's Moghbazar area, according to media personnel at the scene on Saturday evening.

The incident occurred after Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain visited the hospital to inspect the facility following the deaths of six infants earlier this week.

Journalists said the minister expressed concern after discovering an allegedly unauthorized bakery operation and unhygienic conditions inside one of the hospital's buildings. Reporters attempting to collect further information were subsequently prevented from entering the premises.

According to eyewitness accounts, hospital authorities closed all entry points and stationed security and cleaning staff at the main gate. When journalists attempted to enter the hospital, they were stopped, leading to a verbal altercation.

The situation later escalated, with security and cleaning staff allegedly chasing journalists with sticks and physically assaulting them. Several media workers were injured, and equipment belonging to multiple television channels was reportedly damaged. A camera used by a team from Boishakhi Television was among the items allegedly vandalized.

Police from Moghbazar Police Station and members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrived at the scene to help restore order. However, journalists alleged that aggressive behavior by hospital security personnel continued even in the presence of law enforcement officers.

Among those reportedly injured were Times of Bangladesh staff reporter Kazi Zahid and a cameraperson from Deepto TV.

The hospital's senior manager later appeared at the scene, but journalists said he failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the incident or the restrictions imposed on media access.

The confrontation came amid heightened public attention following the deaths of six newborns receiving treatment at the hospital on May 27. The government has formed a high-level investigation committee to determine the cause of the deaths and identify any possible negligence.

The committee is expected to submit its final report to the government by June 3.