Sylhet Journalists Rally to Demand Trial of Intern Doctors Who Attacked Two Newsmen at Osmani Hospital
A protest rally and solidarity gathering was held in Sylhet against the attack on journalists by intern doctors at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital while the journalists were performing professional duties. The rally was held on Saturday (31 October) at noon in front of the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar, organised by journalists of all levels in Sylhet.
Journalists Reza Rubel and Nibendu Talukdar were seriously injured in the attack by intern doctors while on duty at Osmani Hospital. The programme was organised to protest that attack.
Representatives of journalist organisations, along with local politicians, leaders of social organisations and eminent personalities, joined the rally in solidarity. Speakers said the reprehensible attack on the two journalists was carried out to throttle independent journalism and the right to freedom of expression.
The speakers added that the incident was not merely an attack on journalists; it was a severe blow to the just right of all Sylhet residents to receive services.
At the rally, chaired by Sylhet Press Club president Muktabis-un-Noor and conducted by district press club general secretary Mohammad Nasir Uddin, speakers said Osmani Hospital belongs to no individual or group — it is the property of the people of Sylhet.
They said journalists had stood beside doctors during their past movements and struggles and published their news, yet the reward has been to leave journalists bloodied. Speakers also alleged that disrupting medical services by holding patients hostage, and harassment and assault of patients' relatives by a section of intern doctors, have become everyday occurrences. Such terrorising activities will not be tolerated, they warned.
Journalist leaders expressed anger that three days after the attack, the hospital authorities have taken no visible step. They said that unless a neutral investigation committee is formed and the attackers are identified and brought to punishment, public trust will continue to erode.
The rally warned that a tougher programme would be announced soon through a meeting to protect journalists' dignity and ensure proper treatment for patients. The leaders said there would be no compromise.
Those who addressed the rally included Sylhet metropolitan BNP general secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Sylhet District Press Club president Moin Uddin, former Sylhet Press Club president Ikramul Kabir Iku, general secretary Sirajul Islam, former district press club general secretary Shah Didar Alam Chowdhury Nobel, Gulzar Ahmad Helal, IMJA president Md Mahbubur Rahman Ripon, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Sylhet unit general secretary Mahbubul Haque Chowdhury, Photo Journalists Association acting president Humayun Kabir Liton and Online Press Club acting general secretary Masud Ahmed Roni.
The Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Press Club, the Dakshin Surma and Biswanath upazila press clubs, the Sylhet Women's Journalist Club, the Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, the Sylhet Kalyan Sangstha and the Gono Odhikar Parishad, among other political and social organisations, expressed solidarity and took part in the rally.
