Barishal Buteau

S.M. Zulfikar, the general secretary of Gournadi Press Club, a member of the District Journalists Union and a correspondent of the daily Ameer Shom, was attacked by terrorists in Gournadi, Barisal, for protesting against the attack on his nephew's garage mechanic.

Upon receiving the news, relatives and colleagues rescued him and admitted him to the Upazila Health Complex. The attack took place at the Old Nahar Cinema Hall intersection in the upazila on Sunday afternoon.

The attackers were BNP activist Masum Sardar, his son Yasin, his brothers, municipal Chhatra Dal conveners Russell Howlader and Sabuj Howlader, and scoundrel drug dealer Riaz Ukil.

The Barishal District Journalists Union has issued a statement strongly condemning and protesting the incident. President Azad Alauddin and General Secretary Hafizur Rahman Hira, along with other members, protested and said that these terrorists must be brought under the law very soon. The security of journalists must be ensured by giving exemplary punishment.

Journalist SM Zulfikar, who was injured in the attack, complained, "My nephew Murad Mehdi's employee, motor mechanic Ripon Kazi, was sitting at a tea shop at the Old Nahar Cinema Hall intersection and drinking tea with his feet up. At that time, the attackers hacked and injured him (Ripon Kazi) for raising his feet up."

When I went to the spot and protested after receiving the news, they attacked me in a coordinated manner. However, denying the allegations, the convener of the municipal Chhatra Dal, Russell Howlader, said, "I have no involvement in the attack. I am being framed." However, the statements of the other attackers were not available.

Gournadi Model Police Station OC Tariq Hasan Russell said, police were sent to the spot after receiving the information. The process of taking legal action in this regard is underway.