Journalist assaulted for ‘inquiring about alleged gambling den’ in Shariatpur
Dhaka Post correspondent files case, undergoing treatment
1 March 2026, 12:27 PM
A journalist was assaulted in Gosairhat upazila of Shariatpur reportedly for collecting information about a gambling and drug operation. He was hospitalised after the attack, and a criminal case has been filed over the incident.
Nayan Das, Shariatpur correspondent of the online news portal Dhaka Post, claimed he was attacked on Thursday afternoon in Nagerpara Bazar area while travelling to Shariatpur town on professional duties.
“Nayan Das lodged a complaint naming Saidul Akon, Monir Jamaddar, Nazrul Kazi and Likhon Kazi, along with several unidentified individuals on Friday. The complaint was formally recorded as a case on Saturday,” Gosairhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge Azizul told The Daily last night.
Quoting the case statement, the OC said that following allegations from locals about ongoing drug and gambling activities in Molongchara, Nayan Das and several other journalists visited the area on February 23 and captured photographs and video footage. Sensing the presence of journalists, those involved fled the scene.
Subsequently, on Thursday, several members of the alleged group intercepted Nayan Das at Nagerpara Bazar and assaulted him. Locals later rescued and took him to Gosairhat upazila Health Complex, police said, adding that efforts are underway to arrest the accused.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Nayan Das said acting on the information from locals, he went to the location with local journalists Shahed Ahmed Babu and Hasan Sikdar, where they recorded video footage and took photographs of the alleged activities. Upon seeing them, the gamblers and drug peddlers fled, he said.
While passing through Nagerpara Bazar on Thursday, he was attacked by Saidul Akon, Monir Jamaddar, Nazrul Kazi and Likhon Kazi, along with several unidentified associates allegedly involved in gambling and drug activities, he said.
They struck him with sticks on different parts of his body, punched him in the head and snatched his camera and mobile phone. Locals later rescued him and took him to hospital, he added.
The statements of the accused could not be obtained as they could not be contacted.
Dr Hafizur Rahman Mia, health and family planning officer of Gosairhat upazila, said a patient named Nayan Das was admitted with visible injuries to his shoulder, head and several other parts of his body, and has been hospitalised for treatment.
“Attacks on journalists are increasing at an alarming rate across the country. Even two days after the incident, no arrests have been made, which raises concerns,” Mohammad Rajib Hossain, general secretary of the Shariatpur Online Journalists Association, told The Daily Star.
Failure to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice would encourage the recurrence of such incidents, he added.
