Kuakata journo assaulted reportedly upon UNO’s order

A journalist has been beaten by police, allegedly following an order of the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), of Kalapara in Patuakhali after the duo exchanged heated words over a punishment during a mobile court raid.

The altercation ensued around 8pm on Monday after journalist Elias Sheikh questioned UNO Abu Sahnat Md Shahidul Haque over detaining two locals for breaching the health rules imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

At one stage, Elias started to leave the scene at the Zero Point on Kuakata beach and right then, the UNO reportedly ordered the policemen assisting him at the raid, to beat up the journalist.

As the news circulated very shortly after the incident, locals rushed there and cordoned off UNO Shahidul and attempted to vandalize his vehicle.

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Later on, Kuakata municipality mayor and Mohipur police station’s officer-in-charge came to his rescue.

The UNO then claimed that locals attacked him while snatching away two gamblers from his custody.

Meanwhile, the district administration immediately launched an investigation into the beating of the journalist.

Additional District Magistrate Md Humayun Kabir, as part of the probe, visited the spot later that night and then submitted his findings to the deputy commissioner (DC).

Kalaapara circle’s Additional Superintendent of Police Ahammed Ali said they, in presence of the additional district magistrate, sat with the UNO and the journalist after the incident.

“The matter is now at the hand of the DC,” he said.