Journalist Arif Samrat Assaulted by Mob in Keraniganj

August 31, 2025 – Bangladesh – 

In a disturbing attack on press freedom, journalist Arif Samrat was violently assaulted on August 31, 2025, in Keraniganj, Dhaka. According to reports, the assault took place at Khola Mora when Samrat was stopped by a group of men while riding his motorcycle. The mob, numbering between eight and ten individuals, allegedly attacked him at the instigation of local Awami League leader Monjur Islam and his associates. During the assault, Samrat was threatened with death, leaving him injured and shaken. The attack is believed to have been retaliation for two investigative news reports Samrat had recently published that cast the accused in a critical light.

Eyewitnesses recorded the incident on video, and the footage quickly went viral after being circulated on Facebook. The spread of this video drew widespread public attention, sparking outrage and amplifying concerns about the safety of journalists in Bangladesh. The visual documentation of the violence became a crucial piece of evidence that underscored the severity of the attack and the audacity of those involved.

Samrat promptly filed a complaint with the Keraniganj Model Police Station, and an official investigation has been launched. Authorities have come under pressure to act decisively, not only because of the viral footage but also because of growing concern over the recurring threats and attacks against journalists who investigate powerful political figures.

This assault is the latest in a string of violent incidents that highlight the precarious environment in which Bangladeshi journalists operate. Over recent years, media workers have frequently been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and violence, often in connection with reports exposing corruption or political abuses. The involvement of a local political leader in orchestrating the violence against Samrat is especially troubling, as it demonstrates how power can be wielded to silence critical voices and discourage accountability.

The case has drawn attention to the urgent need for stronger protections for journalists and more robust mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable. For many observers, the attack on Samrat is not an isolated act of violence but part of a broader erosion of press freedom in Bangladesh, where reporters increasingly face the dangerous intersection of politics, power, and intimidation.

Reference – 

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/390326/journalist-assaulted-by-mob-in-keraniganj

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/journalist-assaulted-mob-keraniganj-1225001

https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/journalist-assaulted-by-mob-in-keraniganj/167358