Photo: Messenger
The National Friendship Society (NFS) has strongly condemned and protested the attack on Rafiqul Islam, a journalist from the daily Jugantor, by Rajbari district Awami League leader Mahmudul Asad Russel. The organization has also demanded that the perpetrator be expelled from the Awami League and be given exemplary punishment.
In a joint statement signed by NFS President Rahat Hossain and General Secretary Pavel Hasan Chowdhury on Wednesday, July 10, they made this demand.
They said Rafiqul Islam is a staff reporter for the daily Jugantor and a former executive committee member of the social organization National Friendship Society (NFS). He is a professional journalist. The accused, Mahmudul Asad Russel, is the organizational secretary of the Rajbari district Awami League. Although he is a district leader, he always resides in Dhaka. Various leaders and activists of the Awami League at different levels have also been harassed by him from time to time. Now, he has assaulted journalists.
The leaders said, "We hope that the Awami League, which led the Liberation War, will set an example by expelling Mahmudul Asad Russel from the party."
It has been reported that, as part of their regular program, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader called a press conference at the party's office last Monday. Rafiqul Islam went there to cover the news. After the conference, he met with four important ministers and state ministers of the government. As the ministers were leaving, Rafiqul tried to speak with one of the state ministers. At that moment, Rajbari district Awami League's organizational secretary Mahmudul Asad Russel and some of his associates suddenly attacked Rafiqul. They repeatedly punched and beat him, causing injuries.##
Messenger/Aziz
