An attack on journalists occurred at the Bangladesh Supreme Court while they were carrying out their professional duties. The Law Reporters Forum (LRF), an organization of journalists covering legal, judicial, and human rights issues, strongly condemned and protested the incident.
In a statement, the organization’s acting president, Hasan Javed, and general secretary, Moniruzzaman Mishu, said that any attack on journalists while performing their professional duties is unacceptable. They demanded that those responsible be brought to justice and given exemplary punishment.
On Wednesday, the High Court delivered its verdict in the case regarding the attack on Sheikh Hasina’s motorcade in Ishwardi, Pabna. After the verdict, media personnel were waiting in front of the Supreme Court Annex Building to take statements from lawyers. At that time, hundreds of BNP leaders and activists from Ishwardi, Pabna, started pushing and shoving to stand in front of the cameras. BNP Chairperson’s advisor, Habibur Rahman Habib, was present at the scene.
During the chaos, ATN News’ senior reporter, Javed Akhter, got into a verbal altercation with BNP leaders and activists. At one point, 20-25 BNP activists from Ishwardi, Pabna, started kicking and punching Javed Akhter. Senior journalists Azizul Islam Pannu, Hasan Javed, and several others were also assaulted while trying to protect him. Television microphones were also vandalized.
Following the incident, the Law Reporters Forum’s Training and Welfare Secretary, Javed Akhter, was rescued and taken to the hospital.