Two journalists were assaulted on Saturday morning, April 18, in the Kashimpur area of Vedarganj upazila, Shariatpur, while filming alleged illegal fuel sales at Messrs Faria Filling Station. The victims were Zahid Hasan Tipu, correspondent of Daily Inqilab, and Ashiqur Rahman Hridoy, correspondent of Daily Samakal. Tipu filed a written complaint at Sakhipur Police Station the same evening, accusing pump owner Faruk Madbar and his nephew Zaman Madbar of the attack.
According to the victims and local sources, the filling station had long been accused of hoarding fuel in drums and selling it at inflated prices instead of supplying waiting vehicles. When the journalists began recording the scene, the pump owner and his associates allegedly obstructed them and attacked Tipu. Locals rescued the injured journalists and took them to Vedarganj Upazila Health Complex for treatment.
Local journalist leaders condemned the incident, calling it an attack on press freedom and demanding swift legal action. Police confirmed receiving the complaint and said an investigation was underway.