Upazila administration officials visited Gangachara 50-bed Hospital to check on the physical condition of senior journalist Abdul Bari Dulal, who was hospitalized following a violent attack sparked by his news reports.
Yesterday morning, Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mst. Jasmin Akter, Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Hamidur Islam, Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Mahfujar Rahman, Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Rubel Hosen, and Upazila Cooperative Officer Aftabuzzaman Chayon, among other officials, visited the hospital to inquire about the injured journalist's health. During the visit, the administrative team spoke directly with the journalist and received detailed updates regarding his treatment from the attending physicians, issuing instructions to ensure advanced medical care if required. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Abu Md. Alemul Bashar and other doctors on duty were present during the briefing.
Treating physicians reported that journalist Dulal suffered multiple injuries, including head trauma, injuries to his left leg, lacerations, and severe contusions across various parts of his body. He is currently undergoing inpatient care at the hospital.
The attack occurred on Friday, October 2, at around 7:30 PM at Umar Bazar in the Gajaghanta Union of the upazila, following news coverage of administrative drives and fines imposed against illegal sand extraction. Abdul Bari Dulal is the Gangachara correspondent for Daily Lakhokantho and Daily Protidiner Barta, as well as the Vice President of the Gangachara Upazila Press Club.
According to reports, the attackers intercepted him, choked him, and pinned his arms behind his back before striking him on the head with a sharp wood-cutting axe. The blow fractured his scalp, causing heavy bleeding that caused him to collapse, after which the assailants continued to beat him. The attackers also robbed him of 35,000 BDT in cash and an Oppo A57 smartphone. Local residents identified Kamruzzaman and his younger brother Amanullah Aman—sons of the late Golzar Hossain from Ward No. 9 of Umar Village—along with 7 to 8 others as the perpetrators.
Earlier on September 30, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Hamidur Islam conducted a mobile court drive against illegal soil and sand mining from agricultural land in that area, fining the culprits 30,000 BDT and securing written undertakings. Following the publication of news regarding the drive, Journalist Dulal had been receiving continuous threats and intimidation.
Local residents rescued the injured journalist and rushed him to the Gangachara Upazila Health Complex. Upon learning of the incident, local journalists, administrative officials, political and social leaders, and people from all walks of life visited the hospital. Various press organizations—including the Rangpur Journalists' Union, Gangachara Upazila Press Club, Gangachara Press Club, and Rangpur Press Club—strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all involved.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Mahfujar Rahman, Gangachara Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
