Staff Correspondent:- The Bangladesh Central Press Club (B.C.P.C) has expressed deep concern, strong condemnation, and profound anger over the reckless and organized attack carried out by a group of assailants on two journalists of the national daily Amar Desh on Saturday afternoon, 8 November, beneath a restaurant at Shibbari Mor in Khulna city.

In a press statement issued by the organization on Monday (10 November), it was stated that this incident was not the result of any personal dispute; rather, it was a premeditated attempt to silence press freedom in the country.

In the attack, Amar Desh Khulna Bureau Chief and BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Ehtheshamul Haque Shawon and Staff Reporter Kamrul Hossain Moni were seriously injured. With the help of local residents, both were rushed to Khulna Medical College Hospital for immediate treatment.

It was learned that the two journalists went to the location to resolve a misunderstanding that had arisen during a phone call while seeking comments for a report. At that moment, seven to eight miscreants ambushed them. Shawon was forced to seek shelter to save himself, while Kamrul collapsed to the ground and was brutally beaten further. Locals eventually rescued them from the attackers.

The founding president of Bangladesh Central Press Club (B.C.P.C), Khan Selim Rahman, stated:
“This brutal and premeditated attack on two journalists in Khulna clearly shows that the safety of journalists is now under severe threat. Such barbaric assaults on those who courageously write in favor of truth are unacceptable and inhumane in any civilized society. This is not just an attack on two individuals; it is a direct blow to press freedom and the integrity of the journalism profession.
We call upon the state leadership, law enforcement agencies, and the concerned authorities to ensure that all those involved are identified, arrested, and brought to exemplary justice without delay. Failure to take prompt action against such crimes will only encourage a culture of fear and violence in society. We strongly demand effective measures to ensure journalist safety, press freedom, and professional dignity.”

The founding General Secretary of the Bangladesh Central Press Club (B.C.P.C), Md. Mahidul Hasan Sarkar, said:
“An attack on journalism is a direct attack on the people’s right to information, the pursuit of truth, and the foundational pillars of a democratic society. The heinous assault in Khulna was not just against two journalists but a clear attempt to intimidate and suppress the entire media community. This incident reminds us that journalists take significant risks every day to bring the truth to the public, and ensuring their safety is the solemn responsibility of the state and the administration.
We urge the authorities to immediately identify and arrest the perpetrators, ensure a fair and impartial investigation, and grant the highest punishment to those responsible. If press freedom is weakened and journalist safety is ignored, public trust in information will diminish, and attacks on truth will only increase. Strong and effective measures are now essential to prevent the recurrence of such barbaric attacks.”

Since its inception, the Bangladesh Central Press Club (B.C.P.C) has stood beside the oppressed, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged journalists, and it will continue to do so unwaveringly. Any attack on press freedom is a matter of grave concern. The organization has strongly demanded the prompt arrest of the culprits, an impartial investigation, and necessary actions from the state and the administration.

Message to our respected journalist colleagues:

1. Raise your voice from wherever you stand; do not fear injustice. Even the faintest note of truth eventually echoes like thunder.
2. Your pen is your shield. The strength to defend justice begins right there. Honor your responsibility.
3. If fear forces you to hide your face, remember that the burden of that silence will ultimately fall upon you.