Four Journalists Beaten After Being Picked Up on Way Back from Covering Anti-Sand-Lifting Raid in Palashbari

Four journalists were allegedly picked up and beaten in Palashbari of Gaibandha district while returning home after covering an administration raid against illegal sand extraction. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon at Ambari on the Palashbari-Ghoraghat road.

The beaten journalists are Anwar Hossain Shamim, Gaibandha correspondent of Dainik Ajker Patrika; Rafiqul Islam (Rafiq Khandakar), district correspondent of Dainik Desh Rupantor; Tajrul Islam, staff reporter of the local Jonsena newspaper; and journalist Pappu Sarkar.

The injured journalists are currently undergoing treatment at Gaibandha General Hospital.

The victims said that on Saturday afternoon a raid was carried out at a site where illegally extracted sand had been stockpiled, led by Palashbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Aminul Islam Bulbul and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Al Yasa Rahman Tapadar. During the raid the administration seized the illegal sand along with four tractors used to transport it.

On their way home by CNG-run auto-rickshaw after covering the raid, several men arriving on three motorcycles blocked the journalists' path at Ambari, according to the complaint.

The complainants say they were taken into a room, the door was shut, and a group of 10 to 15 people beat them. Their mobile phones were snatched during the attack.

The victims allege that at one stage money was forcibly placed in their hands and the scene was filmed on video.

Palashbari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Akhtar Hossain said he had heard about the incident, calling it very unfortunate, and that legal action would be taken if a complaint is filed.

Palashbari UNO Aminul Islam Bulbul said he had heard about the journalists being confined and beaten. The vehicles seized during the raid were later released, he said.