2 journos assaulted, camera vandalised in Sitakunda

Two journalists were attacked while reporting on a clash between two criminal gangs in Jungle Salimpur area of Chattogram's Sitakunda upazila yesterday morning.

They are: private television channel Ekhon TV's Chattogram bureau chief and special correspondent Hossain Ziad, and its cameraperson Md Parvez.

Their mobile phones and identity ID cards were snatched away, and a camera was vandalised during the attack at Loharpool in Jungle Salimpur around 10:30am.

They were admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital, said Alauddin Talukder, a sub-inspector of the hospital's police outpost.

"When we reached Loharpool, some 50-60 men attacked us with local weapons and wooden sticks. Our mobile phones and camera were snatched and vandalised. We barely escaped with our lives," said Ziad.

Abdullah Labib, additional superintendent of police (Sitakunda Circle), said, "No one lodged any complaint in this regard yet".

Earlier on Saturday, one person was hacked and beaten to death and 16 others were injured in a clash between two criminal gangs over establishing control in the hilly Ali Nagar area of Jungle Salimpur.

Salimpur has long been a notorious shelter for criminals, including drug peddlers, murderers, and firearm suppliers.