Star News Journalist Attacked in Gazipur; 1 Arrested

Hossain Ali Babu, the Gazipur correspondent for private television channel Star News, was injured in an unprovoked attack while working inside a traffic police box at Chandana Chowrasta on Saturday morning (June 6).

Traffic police promptly intervened, rescuing the journalist and arresting the attacker, identified as 28-year-old Jewel from Belab Upazila, Narsingdi.

The incident occurred around 11:30 am. Babu, originally from Sreepur Municipality, had just finished a live broadcast about Eid commuters and was using his laptop inside the temporarily vacant police box. According to Babu, the suspect walked in, asked irrelevant questions, and falsely accused the journalist of reporting against him. When Babu denied the claim, Jewel began hitting him indiscriminately, injuring his head and body.

"If ASI Tajuddin of the traffic police had not come forward quickly, the situation could have been much worse," Babu said. He suspects the attack may have been an attempt to steal his two mobile phones.

ASI Tajuddin, who was on duty nearby, stated he rushed to the police box after hearing the scuffle. He successfully subdued the suspect, sustaining minor injuries in the process.

Basan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Harun Or Rashid confirmed the suspect is in custody. "Initial investigations show the attacker and the journalist did not know each other, nor was there any news report involving the suspect," the OC said. "During interrogation, the detainee has been speaking incoherently."

Local journalists working across print, online, and electronic media have strongly condemned the attack. Police stated that legal proceedings against the suspect are currently underway.