Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expresses grave concern over the incident of an attack on a journalist led by Jubo League leader at Faridpur.

According to various media, on 30 June 2014, General Secretary of Upazila Press Club and reporter of Daily Bangalir Khobor, Mr. M.Q. Hussain Bulbul was attacked by around five Jubo League workers including their Organising Secretary in front of Saltha Upazila Parishad at Faridpur. The victim is presently under treatment at Faridpur Medical College Hospital. The incident took place after the journalist went to the Upazila Parishad building receiving a phone call from a local Jubo League leader, and it has been known from the news reports  that the attack took place because of publishing a report on tender in the local newspaper.

It is noteworthy that there have been a number of recent incidents of attack and threats on journalists. We believe this kind of attacks and threats hinder the outgrowth of democratic governance system in the country and make the environment extremely vulnerable to exercise freedom of speech.

Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh clearly states the right of freedom of speech and Press. We expect that the Government and administration will take effective measures to ensure freedom of media by adhering to the constitutional obligation. We also expect the Government to consider these incidents of attack on journalists and obstructing them from performing their duty with utmost importance, and take necessary steps to stop the recurrence of such incidents.