Two journo attacked again over city polls

Following the recent incident of brutality against reporters on Dhaka city election day, a newly elected councillor’s supporters in Badda’s Beraid area of Dhaka reportedly assaulted two more journalists on Monday.

They are Hasnayan Tanvir and Saiful Islam, reporter and camera personnel of Maasranga Television.

Earlier, at least four reporters and a photojournalist on duty were assaulted reportedly by Chhatra League activists at separate polling centres during the Dhaka North and South city corporation elections.

Reporter Tanvir said that locals claimed supporters of councillor-elect Aiub Ansar Mintu, a rebel Awami League candidate, vandalized houses of rival councillor aspirant’s followers after being elected.

Hearing about the violence, Tanvir said that they went to the spot cover the incident and report on it.

Suddenly, some people – identifying themselves as Mintu’s followers – stopped them and later vandalised their vehicle and camera and assaulted them, he further said.

Badda police Inspector (investigation) Abdur Rajjak said that their officer rushed to the spot and are investigating the incident.

When contacted, newly-elected Councillor Mintu said: “Neither my supporters nor I were involved in the incident. The perpetrators used the name of Awami League and carried on their violence. But I fought as an independent candidate and won.”

“I will find out the identities of the perpetrators by tomorrow morning [Tuesday],” he added.