DHAKA : At least seven photojournalists were injured in attacks by unruly youths in Jigatala and Science Laboratory areas of the city on Sunday while taking snaps of an attack on protesting students, reports UNB.
The injured were identified as AM Ahad of international news agency the Associated Press (AP), Zawad of the Daily Janakantha, Palash of the Banik Barta, Rimon of US-based Zuma Press, Sharif of the Dainik Naya Diganta, freelancer Rahat and Enamul Hasan, a photography student of Pathsala South Asian Media institute.
Witnesses said a group of youths, believed to be Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, equipped with sharp weapons and sticks swooped on some photojournalists in the two areas around 1:30 pm while performing their duties, leaving seven of them injured.
Ahad came under attack in the city’s Jigatala area and others were injured in the attack in Science Laboratory area in the afternoon.
Ahad was beaten mercilessly and his mobile phone and camera were broken while discharging his professional duty.
Doctors at a nearby hospital said the photographer had serious injuries to his head that need stitches.
Earlier in the day, students of Dhaka University, Dhaka Medical College and Bangladesh University of Science of Technology (Buet) gathered at Shahbangh intersection around 11am and blocked the road, disrupting the vehicular movement.
Later, they brought out a rally which marched towards the Since Laboratory intersection.
When they reached the Since Laboratory intersection, police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them. A chase and counter-chase took place at that time.
Meanwhile, a group of youths swooped on the protesting students.
As the photojournalists were taking pictures of the attack, the youths attacked them.