Unidentified assailants attacked the parents of a journalist and another person at the journalist’s family home in Faridpur district’s Madhukhali upazila, Bangladesh.
The incident occurred around 8:30 PM on Friday (January 3, 2025), at the Bose family residence in the Purbo Para area of Dumain village, according to Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Shailendra Chakma.
The injured are identified as freedom fighter Shyamlendu Bose (65), his wife Kakuli Bose (60), and their neighbor, a teenage girl named Preeti Malo (15). All three are currently receiving treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital.
According to the injured individuals, they were watching television when they spotted someone inside their house. Upon confronting the intruder, the person moved to the second floor. When Shyamlendu Bose tried to approach him, the assailant attacked him with a sharp weapon, inflicting severe head injuries. The attacker also injured the others before fleeing.
Shukla Bose, the wife of Shyamlendu’s brother, said, “We live in Faridpur town. Around 8:30 PM, they made a video call to me in a bloodied state, pleading for help. I informed the neighbors, who rushed them to the hospital.”
Journalist Sougata Bose, who works in Dhaka, is the son of Shyamlendu Bose. He stated, “Only my parents live at the house, and Preeti was there to look after my unwell mother. They are critically injured, and the full details of the incident are unclear. It is uncertain whether there was one attacker or multiple. However, we have no conflicts with anyone.”
He added, “This was not a robbery. My parents stay up late watching television. Why would someone attempt a robbery at that time? Additionally, no valuables were stolen. This was clearly an attack or something else entirely.”
Dr. Arnab from the surgery department of Faridpur Medical College Hospital stated, “Shyamlendu Bose sustained severe head injuries, including a fractured skull with significant blood loss. He has been advised to seek advanced treatment in Dhaka. The injuries of the others are not as critical.”
Jibon Kumar Mandal, the 6th Ward member of Dumain Union Parishad, said, “Shyamlendu da’s three sons work in different districts. At the house, it’s usually just Shyamlendu da, his wife, and a teenage girl who helps take care of them. They have no enmity with anyone.”
He added, “It seems the attacker entered the house to steal but attacked when discovered.”
Upon receiving the news, Additional Superintendent of Police Shailendra Chakma, along with other police officials, rushed to the hospital.
Shailendra Chakma stated, “Preliminary investigation suggests that the incident occurred during a burglary attempt. A teenage boy, aged around 14-15, was seen in the house. When confronted by the homeowner, the attacker injured them and fled.
“Further investigation is underway, and legal action is being taken,” he added.
Torture of Journalists in Bangladesh During Yunus Regime:
The media landscape in Bangladesh has always been a battleground, with government oversight used to steer public opinion and control narratives. However, the appointment of Dr. Mohammad Yunus as the head of the interim government has marked a significant shift toward outright suppression. This change has not only escalated tensions between the state and the press but has introduced a new authoritarian chapter in Bangladesh’s media history.
Key Actions Against Journalists and Media:
Legal Actions: Over 600 cases have been filed against 296 journalists, predominantly murder charges.
Detainment: Of 18 journalists arrested, only 2 have been granted bail.
Job Losses: More than 1,000 journalists and media workers have been dismissed or expelled from their positions.
Press Credentials: Accreditation cards of 168 journalists, both within and outside Dhaka, have been revoked or suspended.
Violence: Six journalists have been killed, and countless others injured or publicly humiliated.
Attacks on Media Houses: More than 50 TV stations and magazine offices have been vandalized or attacked.
Media Ownership: Nearly all media outlets, except a few, have been seized by forces aligned with the current regime.
These actions paint a grim picture of media freedom in Bangladesh, particularly after August 5, 2024.
Termination of Employment
About 100 staff members dismissed from Bangladesh Television (BTV).
39 from Nagorik TV, 37 from Ekattor TV, 15 from DBC News, and 8 from Somoy TV, alongside numerous other channels and newspapers.
Nationwide layoffs, particularly outside Dhaka, with 64 district representatives from BTV dismissed, alongside staff from private channels and newspapers—affecting approximately 1,000 individuals.
Legal Assault on Journalists
The legal assault on journalists is unprecedented: Around 600 lawsuits have been initiated against 296 journalists, focusing on murder charges. These cases span various police stations and courts, including the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT):
72 journalists from the capital face multiple charges.
.