Police have arrested one of the accused after a case was filed over allegedly assaulting a journalist in Lalmonirhat.
The victim, Asaduzzaman Saju, a district correspondent of Daily Manobkantha, filed a case with Hatibandha police station mentioning nine people allegedly involved with the assault, late on Tuesday (Mar 26).
The arrestee, 45-year-old Md Mitu from north Gotamari area in Hatibandha upazila, was arrested later that night.
Hatibandha police OC Omar Faruk has assured that police are actively working to arrest the remaining accused.
Lalmonirhat 1 constituency lawmaker and former state minister Md Motahar Hossain, also president of ruling party's Lalmonirhat unit, have given instructions to file a case against the assault on Saju, and to arrest the culprits.
All inquiries regarding the treatment of Asaduzzaman Saju are being made, on the instruction of the lawmaker, confirmed Motahar Hossain's Assistant Personal Secretary (APS) Abu Bakr Siddique Shyamol, also an organizing secretary of Awami League's Hatibandha unit.
Commenting on the matter, MP Motahar Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune, "I sent Saju to Rangpur with Awami League leader MG Mostofa once I heard the news after returning from attending different programs for the great Independence Day in Patgram.”
"I have heard one person has been arrested after a case was filed. No one will be spared from punishment regarding the matter,” he said.
On Tuesday (Mar 26), journalist Asaduzzaman Saju was allegedly assaulted while he was taking photos of a procession and counter procession of two Awami League factions in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat.
He was admitted to Hatibandha Upazila Health Complex, and then later referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. He is currently resting at his residence in Singimari union in the upazila.
Witnesses alleged that the attack was led by Awami League members Sirajul Islam, Sadrul Amin Ripon and his younger brother Khokon.
Nurnabi Sarker, district correspondent of Daily Amader Shomoy, and a pedestrian named Sharif Molla, were also injured in the attack while trying to rescue Saju from the assailants.
