5 held over journo murder in Gazipur
Staff Reporter :
Police have detained five individuals in connection with the gruesome murder of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin, who was hacked to death in broad daylight at a crowded market in Gazipur’s Chandna Chowrasta area.
Tuhin, 38, served as the Gazipur correspondent for Dainik Protidiner Kagoj. He was originally from Bhatipara village in Fulbaria upazila of Mymensingh and lived in a rented home in Gazipur city with his wife Farida Akhter and their two sons, Tokki and Fahim.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police’s Basan Police Station has registered two cases related to the incident, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shahin Khan. One case was filed by Tuhin’s elder brother, Md Selim, and the other by the brother of Badsha Mia, who was injured in a separate attack shortly before Tuhin’s killing.
OC Khan added that five suspects have been detained for questioning. Their possible involvement is under investigation, and if confirmed, they will be formally arrested.
Gazipur Metropolitan Police Additional Commissioner (Crime) Taherul Haque Chowhan said, “Our teams are thoroughly investigating the incident. Several suspects have been identified, and arrests will be made soon.”
According to police and eyewitnesses, the murder took place on Wednesday night at a tea stall near Tuhin’s office inside Masjid Market, Chandna Chowrasta.
The chain of events began with a confrontation involving a woman, during which a group of men attacked Badsha Mia with sharp weapons. Tuhin, who witnessed the incident, began recording the attack on his phone. The assailants noticed him filming, chased him into a nearby tea stall, and brutally hacked him to death before fleeing the scene.
The horrific killing caused panic among local residents.
Police later recovered Tuhin’s body and sent it to Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital for autopsy.
Surveillance footage collected by police shows a woman in black being harassed by a man in a blue shirt-later identified as Badsha Mia. Moments later, 4-5 armed men attacked Badsha with locally made weapons. As he attempted to flee, they gave chase. Tuhin was seen filming the scene before the attackers turned their attention to him.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Crime), Rabiul Islam, said, “Initial evidence indicates that Tuhin was killed for recording the incident. The assailants noticed him filming, chased him into the tea shop, and slaughtered him.”
The footage reveals that the altercation began around 6:58pm.
Rabiul further added, “We have identified the attackers through CCTV footage and intelligence. However, their names will not be disclosed at this stage due to ongoing investigations. A manhunt is underway.”
Badsha Mia, the initial victim, is currently being treated at a hospital. He told police that the woman involved had stolen Tk 30,000 from him and was part of a criminal group. “I didn’t know them,” he said.
According to local sources, the attackers seen in the footage are known criminals and muggers in the area. One has been identified as “Ketu Mizan” from the Channai area. Others reportedly include Shahjamal, Bullet, and Sujon.
Shamim Hossain, a colleague of Tuhin and an eyewitness, said, “Tuhin called me shortly before the incident. I told him my phone was charging in the office. A little later, near the Masjid Market, a man and a woman got into a dispute. Then a group attacked the man with sharp weapons. As the man tried to flee, the attackers ran after him.”
“At that point, Tuhin pulled out his phone and followed them to take footage of the incident. The attackers saw him, turned on him instead, and chased him into a tea stall. They hacked him to death before fleeing,” he added.
“After that, I searched for a police patrol around Chourasta. When I couldn’t find one, I called the OC of Basan Police Station. Police arrived a short while later,” Shamim said.
At the hospital morgue the next morning (8 August), Tuhin’s brother Md Selim said, “Tuhin’s wife and sons have lost their only guardian. Who will look after them now? Why was my brother murdered?” He demanded swift and exemplary justice.
Gazipur BNP General Secretary M Manjurul Karim Rony condemned the killing and called for a proper investigation. He also urged fellow journalists to refrain from spreading misinformation about the incident.
Local residents staged a protest in Chandna on Thursday night, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. The Gazipur Journalist Union also held a rally calling for justice.
Meanwhile, another journalist was assaulted near the northern side of the Joydebpur railway line in Gazipur city. He was attacked with bricks, and his legs were injured. The incident occurred at a spot where a makeshift fruit market has allegedly been set up on illegally occupied railway land. One person has been arrested in connection with that attack.