Kalbela’s Mojo reporter Rumel Ahmed was attacked in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar. The attack was led by some journalists from the district. Rumel, who was severely beaten and punched, received emergency treatment at the hospital.

The incident took place on Friday (June 26) afternoon in Amtala Bazar of Sharifpur Union.

Rumel Ahmed went to Sharifpur from Dhaka to cover the program of NCP leaders Nasiruddin Patwari and Sarjis Alam. Journalists from various media outlets in the district were also present there at that time. When some journalists asked Rumel to leave a convenient place for them, he refused. However, he was already staying at that place. Angered by this, some media workers harassed him on the spot.

Later, in the second round, DBC News’ district correspondent Shahban Rashid Chowdhury called Ani Rumel Ahmed alone to Amtala Bazar. There, some journalists punched and beat him. The accused include Channel One’s district correspondent Shahjahan Ahmed, News 24’s district correspondent Sheikh Sirajul Islam, Manabzamin staff reporter Mu. Imad Ud-Din, DBC News’ district correspondent Shahban Rashid Chowdhury Ani and Janabani’s Kulaura Upazila correspondent Jamal Hossain Tarek.

Victim Rumel Ahmed said, ‘I came to my district and was attacked by some senior journalists. That too while I was collecting news.’

He further said, ‘They called me and beat me. Some of the NTV staff reporters present there asked me to apologize to SM Umed Ali. Then I was repeatedly punched and kicked. After the beating, I first sought first aid at a local drugstore. Later, the locals rescued me and took me to the Kulaura Upazila Health Complex.’

A young man named Rubel Khan was present at the scene during the attack. Describing the incident, he told Kalbela, “I saw everyone beating one person. Then we went ahead. They were saying they would beat them more. Later, some people including me took him to safety.”

It is known that Umed Ali leads a group of media workers in the district. There have been allegations of misbehavior against this group before with journalists who have come from Dhaka. This group is known as the ‘mafia group’ to local media workers.

In this regard, Moulvibazar Press Club General Secretary Nurul Islam Sheful told Kalbela, “The matter is sad. There have been similar allegations against them before. We will discuss what action can be taken in this regard.”

Meanwhile, DBC News Deputy News Editor (DNE) Mithun Biswas told Kalbela that since there is evidence of the attack, official action will be taken against the accused.