Attack on Journalists at Cumilla Medical College

Local Correspondent

While performing their professional duties at Cumilla Medical College Hospital, four journalists, including reporters from Jamuna Television and Channel 24, were assaulted. They were attacked while investigating allegations of an “unnatural” death of a woman. The attackers used cricket stumps to beat the journalists. During the incident, there was also a chase between the patient’s relatives and intern doctors. Upon receiving the news, joint forces arrived and fired blank shots to bring the situation under control. The incident occurred at Cumilla Medical College Hospital around 11:30 PM on Friday, March 21.

The injured journalists are:
– Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury Khokon, Cumilla Bureau Chief of Jamuna TV
– Jihadul Islam Sakib, Cameraperson
– Zahidur Rahman, Staff Reporter of Channel 24
– Irfan, Cameraperson

Eyewitnesses and the injured journalists reported that they went to investigate the death of a woman named Parul in the city’s Dharmapur area around 9:30 PM. While attempting to gather photos and information, a group of youths inside the hospital attacked them on the fourth floor of the new building. The attackers, dressed in plain clothes, used cricket stumps and sticks to assault the Jamuna TV journalists, snatching their cameras, microphones, tripods, and mobile phones. When others tried to rescue them, the attackers also assaulted Channel 24’s cameraperson and vandalized their equipment.

The relatives of the deceased woman alleged that she died due to an incorrect injection. She was the mother of a Victoria College student. Her death angered her relatives, who became agitated at the hospital.

In protest of the attack on their colleagues, journalists working in the district staged a demonstration in front of Cumilla Medical College Hospital around midnight. They condemned the attack and demanded justice.

Injured journalist Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury Khokon of Jamuna TV said, “On Friday evening, a woman named Parul died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital due to an incorrect injection. We went to investigate the incident after receiving reports of her death due to ‘wrong treatment.’ As we reached the fourth floor of the building, we were stopped and suddenly attacked by several individuals. They beat us and brought us downstairs. Another group tried to rescue us. Later, law enforcement arrived, and joint forces fired five blank shots to control the escalating tension inside the hospital.”

Kazi Enamul Haque Faruk, President of Cumilla Press Club, said, “Such attacks are a threat to press freedom and safety. We demand strict action against the perpetrators immediately. CCTV footage should be reviewed for evidence.”

Despite multiple attempts, Cumilla Medical College Hospital Director Dr. Masud Parvez could not be reached for comment. However, students of Cumilla Medical College claimed on social media that several of them were also injured. It was reported that joint forces and hospital authorities held a meeting regarding the incident, but no journalist representatives were present.

Mohinul Islam, Acting Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Cumilla Kotwali Model Police Station, said, “We went to the scene after hearing about the attack on journalists. Later, joint forces arrived, and the situation was brought under control after speaking with everyone.”