Journalist beaten up by UP member in Thakurgaon

Abdul Awal, Thakurgaon: A UP member and his men severely beat journalist Junaid Kabir in Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila while collecting news information. The incident took place at Kaharpara Jahura Market of Nargun Union of the upazila around 2.30 pm on Thursday. Injured journalist Junaid Kabir is the organizing secretary of the Thakurgaon Online Journalists Association and is the district representative of the national daily Pratidin Sangbad Patrika. Accused Arif Nargun is UP Member of Ward No. 3 of Union Parishad and President of Ward No. 3. Journalist Junaid Kabir said that UP member Arif was interviewed in the incident of cutting sugarcane field in Ward No. 3 of Nargun Union. After the interview, I left for the council to interview the chairman of the union. On the way, UP member Arif and his men blocked my way at Kaharpara Jahura market, then started beating me with sticks. At one stage of the mayhem, UP member Arif Jahura detained me in a shop in Markt. Meanwhile, after receiving the news, they immediately went to the spot of the journalist and rescued journalist Junaid Kabir and admitted him to the 250-bed general hospital in Thakurgaon. Afrin, a doctor in the emergency department of the hospital, said that journalist Junaid Kabir has injuries in different parts of his body. He is being treated in the hospital. Meanwhile, Thakurgaon Press Club, Thakurgaon Online Journalists Association, Thakurgaon Television Journalists Association and other journalists of the district strongly condemned and protested the incident of assault on journalist Junaid Kabir and demanded punishment of the culprits. Shakil Ahmed, general secretary of Thakurgaon Online Journalists Association, said that journalists are subjected to harassment in various ways, including beatings, assaults and cases, when they write or go to collect information. It is not right to give any kind of exemption to the criminals. I want the culprits to be arrested immediately and brought to justice. President of Thakurgaon Press Club Mansoor Ali said that journalists are the conscience of the nation, today the conscience of the nation is being beaten. These events are really sad. Those involved in the attack on journalist Junaid Kabir should be arrested. If the assailants of journalist Junaid Kabir are not arrested immediately, there will be strict agitation. When contacted on the mobile phone of the accused UP member Arif, he said that there was no incident of violence. Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station OC Md. Kamal Hossain said, I have heard that journalist Junaid Kabir was beaten up. Legal action will be taken if complaints are received.