Two journalists, Ramazan Ali, the Savar correspondent for Bayanno Television, and H.M. Shaurav, the Ashulia correspondent for Rtv, were brutally attacked yesterday evening while investigating an extortion case.
The assault occurred in the Jirani Wapda area, on the border between Savar and Gazipur Metropolitan. A group of local criminals, allegedly involved in extorting money through illegal parking operations, targeted the journalists. Armed with homemade weapons, the attackers mercilessly beat the reporters, leaving them with severe injuries.
The families of the victims are preparing to file charges against those responsible for the violent attack.
According to local sources, a group of extortionists and criminals had been illegally parking vehicles on the Dhaka-Tangail highway in the Jirani Wapda area and collecting extortion money. Acting on a tip, Ramazan Ali went to investigate the situation. However, a group of 15 to 20 local criminals, led by Saiful Islam Chayan, alias Kala Saiful, along with Rashedul, Alam, Ashiq, and Moajjem Molla, attacked him using homemade weapons.
When news of the assault spread, HM Shaurav and Ramazan`s brother Suman and nephew Arman rushed to the scene to help. Upon their arrival, they too were brutally beaten by the assailants. The attackers only fled when residents responded to the victims` cries for help. The injured journalists were taken to a nearby hospital, suffering from injuries to their heads, faces, and other parts of their bodies.
In response, the Savar Press Club strongly condemned the attack on Ramazan Ali and HM Shaurav, demanding swift and harsh punishment for the attackers. A human chain protest was held on Tuesday at the Press Club premises, calling for justice.