Allegation of attack on journalist in Chittagong against Jubo League leader, 7 arrested

Cameraperson of Chittagong Regional Office of Channel 24 Salim Ullah was attacked while recording a video of the clash between two groups in Chittagong.

Sabyasachi Majumder, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Doublemooring Zone, confirmed to The Daily Star that 7 people have been arrested in this incident.

A clash between the local Jubo League leader Saddam Hossain and the rival group took place near the Mansurabad DB office in the port city around 10:30 pm on Sunday.

At that time, when journalist Salim Ullah went to record video on his mobile phone, Saddam’s followers attacked him and snatched the mobile phone and broke it.

Salim Ullah, the victim of the attack, said, ‘The fight started between the two sides over dominance. I was filming there. Saddam Hussein and his followers suddenly attacked me. They beat me and took me to an empty place next door. There they abused in unspeakable language and at one stage tried to kill by stabbing. When the locals left, Saddam’s forces left.’

Locals rescued Salim and took him to the emergency department of Chittagong Medical College Hospital. According to hospital sources, he suffered injuries to his eye and leg ligaments.

A case was registered at Doublemooring Police Station in the night of the attack.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Sabyasachi Majumder told The Daily Star, ‘The journalist was attacked in front of the PWD quarter while performing his professional duties. The attackers beat up the journalist and took away his phone and smashed it.

“After receiving the complaint, we immediately conducted a raid and arrested 7 people,” he said.

According to local sources, Jubo League leader Saddam has set up an illegal furniture market on the sidewalk in Mansurabad area. As a close follower of a ward councilor in Chittagong, he dominated the area and controlled the youth gang.