Attack Plan Against Five Journalists in Feni Exposed; Allegations Against Chhatra League

Members of the banned organization Chhatra League have been accused of planning attacks targeting five journalists in Feni. The conspiracy was uncovered through intelligence operations after information surfaced from a WhatsApp group named ‘Ektai Shakti’.

On Saturday night (August 9), Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, correspondent of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) in Feni and editor of the daily Fenir Shomoy, filed a general diary (GD) at Feni Model Police Station. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the station, Mohammad Samsuzzaman, confirmed the matter.

The GD states that in the WhatsApp group, a plan was being hatched to carry out ‘Gazi- style’ attacks on five journalists in Feni. The targeted journalists are Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Jamuna TV staff reporter Arifur Rahman, chief reporter of Daily Fenir Shomoy Arif Azam, Ekattor TV correspondent Solaiman Hazari Dalim, and NTV online reporter Zahidul Alam Rajon.

Members of the group made aggressive remarks and discussed taking ‘action’ against these journalists. It is alleged that they planned sudden attacks, assaults, and arson on their homes.

The admins of the WhatsApp group include district Chhatra League president Tofail Ahmad Topu, general secretary Nur Karim Javed, vice president Sahed Akbar Abhi, Saif Uddin Manik of Feni College Chhatra League, among other senior leaders.

AKM Abdur Rahim, a senior journalist from Feni, said, “There is extreme fear among journalists. The perpetrators must be arrested quickly and exemplary punishment given.”

Morshed Hossain, joint general secretary of Sujan (Citizens for Good Governance) Feni district committee, condemned the act, saying, “Such conspiracies against journalists are unacceptable.”

Mizanur Rahman, general secretary of Feni Journalists’ Union, stated, “Threats of attacks against journalists directly threaten media freedom and professionalism. The state must take prompt legal action against the criminals, whoever they are.”

Feni Model Police Station OC Mohammad Samsuzzaman said the matter is under intelligence surveillance. Measures have been taken to ensure the journalists’ safety, and information obtained through the cyber cell is being verified to take swift legal action. It is also known that most members of the group are absconding accused in various cases.