A Shariatpur district BNP joint general secretary, Arifuzzaman Molla, filed a written extortion complaint against several journalists at Palang Model Police Station on Wednesday night. The complaint came as journalists submitted written allegations that three reporters were beaten and others were threatened by phone. Police said both sets of allegations are being examined, and no case or general diary had been recorded from the journalists’ complaints nearly 24 hours later, according to the reporters.

The dispute began after Shariatpur Press Club’s boundary wall was demolished on Saturday night without written notice, prompting conflict between journalists and the district administration. Time Television journalist BM Israfil was allegedly attacked the following morning and suffered a fractured right wrist. Journalists later protested outside the district commissioner’s office, while a BNP-linked group organized a subsequent demonstration against journalists.

Three reporters alleged they were assaulted while covering Tuesday’s protest, naming Molla and others. Journalists also said an audio recording contains threats attributed to Molla. BNP vice-president Sirajul Haque Molla denied having information that party leaders beat journalists, but called one leader’s remarks regrettable and said organizational action would follow an investigation. Police said legal action would depend on verified findings.