Arifuzzaman Mollah, joint general secretary of the district BNP, has been accused of assaulting three journalists in Shariatpur. When another journalist contacted him by mobile phone regarding the incident, he threatened him by saying, "You will write, and we will beat you."
On Tuesday morning, Zahid Hasan, a journalist for The Daily Star, Bidhan Majumder, a representative of News24 Television and Jago News, and Barkat Mollah, the district representative of Manabkantha, were assaulted when they went to the campus of the Deputy Commissioner's office. At that time, BNP leaders of Shariatpur were holding a protest procession and rally there.
To learn the reason behind the assault on the journalists, Palash Khan, president of the Jajira Upazila Press Club and Shariatpur representative of Sonali News, called BNP leader Arifuzzaman Mollah. In response, Arifuzzaman Mollah said, "I will beat them more, not just now. Complaints can be made against me. Many people are on the list. Inshallah, by the grace of Allah, you will get more news by evening. Prepare yourself too. Where are you now? Sit, I am coming. Many people have said many things, you have also said a lot, Bashar talks, Rajib talks. …You will write, and we will beat you. That is not all, my point is, since you called me, look at the RS and CS behind you."
Regarding this, journalist Palash Khan said, "BNP leader Arif Mollah has been accused of attacking and assaulting three of our colleagues while they were performing their professional duties. I contacted him by mobile phone to know his statement on this matter. When asked about the incident, he threatened to assault me and my colleagues as well. He made a lot of obscene comments about the press club and its president and secretary. I have verbally informed the police about the matter. I will take legal action in writing."
District BNP joint general secretary Arifuzzaman Mollah was called on Tuesday to get his statement on the matter, but he did not pick up the phone. Muhammad Mohiuddin Miraj, Additional Superintendent of Police in Shariatpur (Naria and Sadar Circle), said, "We have learned about the information of the attack on the journalists. We have not received any written complaint yet. Legal action will be taken upon receiving a written complaint."
