10 Injured As Journalists Come under Attack in City

The agitating journalists of the 'Daily Janakantha' were attacked by outsiders while outside the Janakantha Bhaban with various demands including stopping the mass layoffs of the daily Janakantha, giving promotions, increments and implementation of wage boards.

The protesters claimed that 12 to 13 people were injured in the attack around 5 pm.

Daily Janakantha senior reporter Bibhas Barai said  ''Our protestors were attacked around 5 pm. 12 to 13 people were injured in this attack. It hit us randomly. I can't get any news about who went where after the sudden attack.''

Asked about who attacked, he said there were some outsiders inside the building with iron rods, sticks and pieces of bricks. They were accompanied by a few people who are currently working in Janakantha. One of them is Afzal whi is an activist of  Chatradal of the of Dhaka University wing. In a word, 99 percent of those who attacked were outsiders As soon as the gate of the building was opened, they launched a surprise attack on us.''

''Our acquaintances are getting beaten up whenever they find someone on the street. From the front of the building, we moved into various alleys. Some of us are undergoing treatment at Maghbazar Community Hospital. I'm trying to get the rest of the news.''

He said police were not at the scene at the time of the attack.

Injured in this movement, fired sub-editor of the daily Janakantha Saju Ahmed has been admitted to Moghbazar Community Hospital. He was seriously injured in his head. In addition, many parts of the body have been scarred due to beating with sticks.''

They are protesting on the road in front of Janakantha Bhaban at Bangla Motor in the capital on Sunday afternoon. The road in front of Janakantha is closed but the road on the opposite side is open.

Earlier, on March 15, journalists and employees of the national daily Janakantha staged a protest in front of the newspaper's office in Eskaton.

Protesting journalists then claimed that more than 40 workers had been laid off. Most of them are reporters and editing staff. Besides, there are also employees of computer and information technology department. However, the newspaper's authorities said that 26 workers have been released.

The notice of dismissal was sent to the employees by e-mail on Monday (March 15) morning. In the afternoon, the employees gathered in front of Janakantha Bhaban and protested. They complained that they were not allowed to enter the building if they wanted to.