Journalist hacked to death in Gazipur

A journalist was hacked to death in Gazipur last night, reportedly in a targeted attack.

Md Asaduzzaman Tuhin, 38, a staff reporter for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj, was attacked around 8:30pm in the city’s Chandana Chowrasta area, police said. He was originally from Bhatipara village in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh.

According to police and eyewitnesses, five to six men chased Tuhin with sharp weapons. He ran into a tea shop to take shelter, but the attackers entered the shop and hacked him indiscriminately. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, Prothom Alo reports.

Local shopkeeper Khairul Islam, an eyewitness, was quoted as telling the Bangla-language daily that three men stormed into his shop and attacked the journalist, while two others stood guard outside with machetes. “They threatened to kill me when I tried to stop them,” he said. “Many people were watching, but no one came forward to help.”

Earlier in the evening, Tuhin had posted videos on Facebook highlighting traffic mismanagement and poor drainage in Gazipur.

Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Md Rabiul Hasan said they have collected video footage and launched a manhunt. “The killing of a journalist in this manner is deeply regrettable,” he said. 

The body was sent to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy, said Shahin Khan, officer-in-charge of Basan Police Station. No arrests have been made as of filing this report.