Police have arrested a BNP leader in connection with the assault on a female journalist while covering the quota reform protest in the Signboard area of Narayanganj.
"Shahidul Islam Titu, the president of the BNP's Fatullah unit, has been arrested in connection with the incident," said Dhaka Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid during a press briefing held on Friday (26 July).
According to police, the attack took place on 20 July, when Sonali Akter, a reporter for the online portal Sojasapta, was attacked while performing her professional duties.
The perpetrators not only physically assaulted her but also subjected her to sexual harassment, even going so far as to burn her cheek with a match, police added.
Harun stated, "Sonali Akter, a female journalist was brutally assaulted in a medieval manner while fulfilling her professional responsibilities. Based on her complaint, we have swiftly identified those involved in this heinous act. Besides Titu, we have identified two other accomplices: BNP leaders Iqbal and Mamun Mahmud from Fatullah. Their arrests will follow shortly. Despite the incident occurring outside our jurisdiction, we are treating this matter with utmost seriousness due to the involvement of a female journalist."
He further added, "We consider this matter to be extremely sensitive and humanitarian. It is unacceptable for a journalist to be subjected to such barbaric treatment while performing her duties. We will ensure that those responsible are apprehended and brought to justice. Titu will be taken into custody for interrogation."
When questioned about the reason behind targeting journalists, Harun remarked, "Journalists, like the police, are seen as obstacles by these perpetrators. Without the presence of law enforcement and the media, their path to power would be unchallenged. Their actions are driven by a relentless hunger for power."
