Md. Abu Hasan, Nilphamari
Journalists have been attacked, their cameras vandalized, and harassed while trying to prevent the marriage of a minor. The incident took place on Tuesday, July 8, in Jangli Para, Ward No. 2 of Lakshichab Union Parishad, Nilphamari Sadar Upazila. The incident details that took place on July 6, during the wedding blessing ceremony of Haren Roy’s son Nipen of Jangli Para, a minor girl from a neighboring village suddenly arrived, demanding her lover. When the girl’s side learned about the incident, she left the boy’s house. The girl had been staying in the next house without eating for three days. When reporters were informed from there, Nilphamari District Reporters Unity President and District Correspondent of Daily Alokot Bangladesh Sapna Akhtar Swarnali Shah, Global TV journalist Sohel Rana, and Swadesh Pratidin journalist Nural Amin reached the scene and found out firsthand that the girl had no relationship with the boy. A group in that neighborhood sent the girl to the boy’s house just because he sent a message on his mobile phone. When the landlord refused to keep the girl, journalist Swapna Akhtar informed the Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Swarnali Shah, and the incident was reported to the Sadar Police. As the evening turned into night, journalist Swapna repeatedly called the local chairman Aminur Rahman and the Upazila Executive Officer, and local residents and journalists, along with members, took the girl to the house of member Jagdish. There, the chairman verbally abused journalist Swapna Akhter and threatened her journalism career. When the incident came to light in Nilphamari, District Jubo Dal Joint General Secretary Raihan Islam Kalu, the journalist’s mother District Mahila Dal BNP General Secretary Nasreen Akhtar, District NPC Coordinator Akhtaruzzaman Khan and local journalists rescued them from the scene, admitted them to Sadar Hospital, gave them first aid and sent them home. Regarding this incident, Kshitish Babu, a resident of this area of Lakshmichap Union, said, “This gang harasses anyone who has a little money and snatches it away. A departmental investigation will reveal the truth.” Yesterday, her husband, Sohel Rana, the district representative of Global TV, filed a case with Sadar Police Station as the plaintiff. Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge MR Sayeed said that necessary action will be taken after investigation into the matter.