Sylhet, Nov 02 (V7N) – Journalist leaders in Sylhet have demanded legal and administrative action against the intern doctors allegedly involved in an attack on two journalists at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital while they were performing their professional duties.
They also called for an impartial investigation and warned that further action would be announced if the authorities failed to take effective steps against those responsible.
The demands were made at a protest rally held in front of the Central Shaheed Minar in Sylhet on Saturday, October 31. The rally was organised by journalists from different media outlets and professional organisations in protest against the attack on journalists Reza Rubel and Nibendu Talukdar.
Journalist leaders said the attack was an attempt to restrict independent journalism and freedom of expression. They described it as an affront not only to the journalists but also to the people of Sylhet, who depend on the hospital for medical services.
They said Osmani Medical College Hospital was a public institution belonging to the people of Sylhet and that violence and disorder on its premises could not be tolerated.
The rally was presided over by Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis-un-Nur and moderated by Sylhet District Press Club General Secretary Mohammad Nasir Uddin. Journalists from various organisations, political leaders, representatives of social organisations and prominent citizens attended.
Speakers recalled that journalists had previously supported intern doctors during their protests by reporting their demands and activities. They expressed disappointment that journalists had subsequently been attacked while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
They also criticised practices that disrupt hospital services and leave patients and their families in distress, saying medical facilities must remain focused on providing treatment.
Journalist leaders expressed concern that three days had passed since the incident without any visible action by the hospital authorities. They said an impartial investigation committee should be formed immediately and those responsible brought under legal and administrative accountability.
They alleged that incidents of harassment of patients' relatives and members of the public by a section of intern doctors had become a recurring concern. They called on the hospital authorities to take effective measures to prevent violence and disorder on the premises.
The speakers warned against any compromise that would undermine the dignity and safety of journalists. They said representatives of journalists would hold further discussions soon to decide on the next course of action unless the authorities responded to their demands.
Among those addressing the rally were Sylhet Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, Sylhet District Press Club President Moin Uddin, former Sylhet Press Club President Ikramul Kabir Iku, Sylhet Press Club General Secretary Sirajul Islam, Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA) Sylhet President Md Mahbubur Rahman Ripon and Sylhet Online Press Club President Gulzar Ahmed Helal.
Representatives of various journalists' organisations, including the Sylhet Women Journalists' Club, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra's Sylhet division, university press clubs and several upazila press clubs, also expressed solidarity with the protest.
The rally brought together journalists from print, electronic and online media, along with representatives of civic and social organisations.
END/RIM/SMA/
