Journos attacked at Cumilla hospital while covering ‘death by negligence’

At least five journalists were injured in an attack allegedly by intern doctors and medical students while covering death due to "negligence" at Cumilla Medical College Hospital last night.

The injured include Khokon Chowdhury, Cumilla correspondent for Jamuna TV, and Zahid Hasan, Channel 24's representative, along with their camera crews.

According to the injured journalists, around 8:30pm, a dead patients' relatives staged a protest at the hospital, alleging that the patient died after being wrongly injected. The journalists came to know that the patient was admitted to the female medicine ward, and the fatal mistake reportedly occurred when a medicine meant for another patient was administered.

When they arrived at the hospital around 10:30pm to collect statements from the family, a group of intern doctors and medical students allegedly attacked them and vandalised cameras and mobile phones.

The attack triggered panic among patients and their attendants.

Mahinul Islam, officer-in-charge of Cumilla Kotwali Police Station, confirmed the attack on the journalists and said a police team was sent immediately, and legal action would be taken.

Following the attack, injured journalists staged a protest in front of the hospital's emergency department.

Mir Shah Alam, senior vice-president of Cumilla Press Club, condemned the attack, demanding that looted cameras and mobile phones be returned by 11:00am today, threatening of a tougher movement otherwise.

Enamul Haque Faruk, president of Cumilla Press Club, also urged strict action against those responsible.

Despite multiple attempts, Cumilla Medical College Hospital Director Dr Masudur Parvez could not be reached for comments.

The injured journalists received primary treatment at Cumilla Sadar Hospital.

This morning, Cumilla Press Club President Faruk confirmed that journalists would stage a human chain in front of the press club around 11:00am in protest.