Dhaka Bureau: Journalists were beaten up by the police while performing their professional duties in the Supreme Court Lawyers Association elections. It was alleged that journalists and lawyers who went to gather news were beaten by the police with rifles and batons and thrown to the ground with boots. They were kicked out of the polling station.
The incident took place on Wednesday (March 15) around noon in the Supreme Court premises. At least 10 journalists were injured.
ATN News journalist Javed Akhtar is among the injured and is in critical condition. He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Others injured are Prothom Alo’s senior photojournalist Shubhra Kanti Das, Jago News’ senior journalist Fazlul Haque, Independent Television’s Jannatul Ferdous, Ajker’s Noor Mohammad, Manabzamin’s Abdullah Al Maruf, Baisakhi Television’s cameraperson Ibrahim Hossain, and ATN Bangla’s cameraperson Humayun Kabir.
Journalists said that the police suddenly attacked the polling station inside the Supreme Court Bar Auditorium to gather news. Journalists were kicked with boots, clubbed, punched, thrown to the floor, and beaten mercilessly.
Injured journalist Javed Akhtar said that even after introducing himself as a journalist, the police put him under their feet and abused and tortured him in unspeakable language.
Journalist Fazlur Rahman told the media that the police surrounded him and beat him. It hurt my head and different parts of my body. The police confiscated the mobile phones and cameras of various journalists.
There has been a tense atmosphere since the morning regarding the election of the Supreme Court Bar Association. More than five hundred (31 platoons) police have been deployed to avoid untoward situations.
Meanwhile, pro-BNP lawyers are protesting in the auditorium used as a polling station to demand the formation of a new election management committee for the Supreme Court Bar Association elections. In the protest, they are saying that they want the Election Commission first, and then the election will be held.
