Allegations have surfaced regarding an attack on a journalist in Kumarkhali, Kushtia, after he filmed a heated exchange between the local Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the son and brother of the local Member of Parliament (MP). Jamal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kumarkhali Police Station, confirmed that the injured journalist filed a case accusing 11 named individuals—and another 20–25 unidentified persons—of attempted murder and robbery.

The victim, Mahbubul Ahsan Ullash (44), is the Kumarkhali Upazila correspondent for Bangla TV and the General Secretary of the Upazila Press Club.

He was attacked around 12:45 PM on Saturday in the Kundupara area of ​​the municipality and is currently undergoing treatment at the Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex.

According to the police and the case statement, locals had submitted a written complaint to the UNO’s office alleging gross irregularities and the use of substandard materials in a road construction project in the Kundupara area of ​​Kumarkhali municipality.

On Saturday, UNO and Municipal Administrator Farzana Akter visited the site to investigate the allegations. Anwar Hossain—brother of Afzal Hossain (MP for Kushtia-4 and a Jamaat leader)—and Shobhon Hossain (the MP’s son) were already present at the location.

While the allegations were being discussed, they engaged in a heated argument with UNO Farzana Akter, taking the side of the contractor who had been awarded the road construction work.

At that moment, individuals associated with the contracting firm launched a surprise attack on journalist Mahbubul Ahsan Ullash because he was filming the incident. The attackers beat him severely with iron rods and sticks, leaving him bloodied from sharp-weapon injuries, and snatched away his video camera.

Eyewitnesses stated that the attack was led by Anwar (brother of MP Afzal Hossain) and a man named Ruhul, who identified himself as the MP’s bodyguard. Later, upon receiving the news, police from Kumarkhali Station rescued the injured Ullash and took him to the Upazila Health Complex.

Confirming the incident, UNO Farzana Akter stated that the contracting firm had previously been issued a letter ordering them to halt work due to allegations regarding the use of substandard materials on the municipal road. Despite this, as they continued the work, she visited the site personally; upon verifying the allegations, she ordered the work to be stopped. Later, I learned that the attack on journalist Ullash had taken place there.

When attempts were made to contact the Member of Parliament’s brother, Anwar Hossain, for comment, his mobile phone was found switched off; similarly, the MP’s son, Shobhon Hossain, did not answer despite multiple calls. However, when MP Afzal Hossain’s mobile was called, his wife, Sajeda Khatun, answered.

She said, “Look, this isn’t a one-off incident. For a long time, journalist Ullash has been coming to the road construction site, hurling abusive language at the MP’s parents, and halting the work. If the work keeps getting stopped due to such repeated abuse, it is the public that suffers. That is why the altercation broke out there today.”

Regarding the incident, Officer-in-Charge (OC) Jamal Uddin stated that upon receiving news of the attack, police immediately rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control and prevent the assault; however, due to limited police manpower, they could not fully prevent it.

The OC confirmed that two individuals involved in the attack have already been arrested.

The arrested individuals are Maruf Hossain (35)—listed as the third accused in the case—and Amirul Islam (55). Maruf is the son of Huzur Ali from Mathpara in Khoyertara village, and Amirul is the son of the late Abul Hossain from Elangi village.

Meanwhile, the heinous attack on the journalist while he was performing his professional duties has sparked intense outrage among media personnel across all levels in Kushtia.

In protest against the attack, the District Journalists’ Union held a human chain in front of the Kushtia Press Club on Sunday afternoon. Union President Abdur Razzaq Bachchu, General Secretary Shamimul Islam Apu, and journalists from various media outlets delivered speeches at the event.