MP’s brother attacks journalist while covering alleged substandard road construction
Mahbubul Ahsan Ullash was rescued in a bloodied condition and taken to the hospital. Photo: Agamir Somoy
A journalist was attacked while covering allegations of substandard materials being used in the construction of a municipal road in Kumarkhali, Kushtia.
The incident took place around 12:45 pm Saturday in the Kundupada area of the municipality. Mahbubul Ahsan Ullash, Kumarkhali upazila correspondent for Bangla TV and general secretary of the Kumarkhali Press Club, was attacked. He was later admitted to Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex with injuries.
According to eyewitnesses and local sources, Mahbubul Ahsan went to the site to report on allegations of irregularities and the use of substandard materials in the construction of a municipal road in Kundupada.
It is alleged that a group of people led by Anwar, brother of Kushtia 4 constituency MP Afzal Hossain, and Ruhul, who identified himself as a bodyguard, attacked him at the site. He sustained bleeding injuries in the attack. Fellow journalists and police personnel later rescued him and took him to Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex.
Kumarkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Municipal Administrator Farzana Akhter said a letter had been sent to the contractor to stop the work after allegations of substandard materials were reported in the municipal road project. As the work continued despite the order, she went to the site herself and stopped the work. The attack on the journalist took place immediately after she left the site.
Kumarkhali Police Station Officer in Charge Jamal Uddin said the attack took place following an argument while the journalist was collecting news. After receiving the information, police went to the scene and tried to control the situation and prevent the attack. However, they could not fully do so due to the limited number of police personnel.
He said those involved in the incident have been identified. A case is being processed and the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon.
Meanwhile, journalists in Kushtia have expressed outrage over the attack on their colleague. Local journalists have demanded that those involved in the attack and anyone behind the incident be brought to justice and punished.
