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Ruling party cadre attack journalists in Bangladesh
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) condemn the attack on four journalists in Pabna of Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh on November 30. The IFJ demands fair investigation to ensure the perpetrators are punished.
Saikat Afroz, 35, of Somoy TV, Rizvi Joy and Milon Hosssain, 25, of ATN News, and Partho Hasan of DBC News were beaten up by a gang while on duty. The journalists said a group of 25 to 30 people carrying sticks and iron rods attacked them on instructions from Shirhan Sherif Tomal, the son of Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sherif. The journalists were recording footage of people damaging banners and posters welcoming the PM hung by Tomal's rival groups. The four received treatment at the Pabna General Hospital.
Police has registered a case Tomal and 29 other cadre of the ruling Awami League for the attack after the journalists held a protest and gave an ultimatum to the local administration for arresting the attackers.
The IFJ said: "The IFJ condemns the attack on four journalists by cadres of the ruling party in Pabna, Bangladesh; and demands fair investigation and punishment to the attackers. Bangladeshi journalists have long been facing threats from political forces as well as religious extremist groups and the authorities should urgently take serious action to enable an environment for independent journalism.”