Human Chain Protests Assault on Journalist in Maheshpur

Jhenaidah Correspondent

A human chain was organized in Maheshpur to protest the assault on Obaidul Haque, the upazila correspondent for the national daily Dinkal and senior vice president of Maheshpur Press Club.

The event, held at Maheshpur Thana Mor, was arranged by Maheshpur Press Club.

Participants included Press Club Maheshpur President Sarwar Hossain, Vice Presidents Jalal Uddin, Jamshed Alam Bokul, Md. Zakir Hossain, Shahidul Islam, Sohel Rana, along with local journalists, representatives of civil society, and the general public. They demanded the arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon during a clash between two factions of the BNP at Bhairab Bazaar in the upazila, reportedly over political disputes. At least 15 people were injured in the clash. While covering the news, journalist Obaidul Haque was critically injured.

According to locals, the attackers inflicted severe injuries on Haque by striking his head.

The army and police were deployed to the scene to bring the situation under control.

Nine of the injured were admitted to Maheshpur Upazila Health Complex, including journalist Obaidul Haque, Mostafa, Shariful, Asaduzzaman, and Hasanuzzaman, who are in critical condition. Two individuals were referred to the 250-bed General Hospital in Jessore.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage among the local journalist community and the general public, who are demanding swift identification and punishment of the perpetrators.