GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: At least 12 Bangladeshi journalists were injured in an attack by extortionists and terrorists in Narsingdi locality of the south Asian nation on January 26 as the media professionals were returning to Dhaka by bus after attending a leisurely program of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Dhaka-based government sponsored news agency, reported that the wounded scribes were rushed to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. The bus carrying the media persons was parked by the roadside when a group of local extortionists demanded money as tolls. As the journalists protested, an altercation ensued, after which the attackers assaulted them with locally made weapons, added the BSS report. The attackers even threatened to burn their accompanying wives and children.
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The global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) condemned the attack and urged the interim government in Dhaka to bring the group of extortionists to justice. “It’s so unfortunate that the poll-bound Bangladesh remains in media headlines for a number of events revealing media atrocities in the last few weeks. In Narsingdi of Bangladesh, the journalists protested against an extortion bid by some unruly individuals and had to face the attacks, which is unacceptable by any means,” said Blaise Lempen, president of PEC.
PEC’s south Asia representative Nava Thakuria informed that the Bangla police have already arrested two accused continuing search operations for the rest of the gang. The Muslim majority nation of over 170 million people are preparing for its 13th national election on 12 February under the patronage of an interim regime led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Recently, the caretaker government chief assured the countrymen of a free, fair and festive polling with a truly democratic spirit. The country on January 5 reported the murder of journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi (45), who incidentally became the first journo-victim across the world this year.
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