Female journalist, brother physically assaulted in Banasree for protesting stalking

A female journalist of English daily New Age and her brother were assaulted after confronting a group of youths who had allegedly been following her near their home in the Banasree area of the capital on Wednesday.

After being informed of the matter, a police team went to the spot, Sub-inspector Anisur Rahman, duty officer of Rampur Police Station, told UNB.

He said no arrests were made yet.

The victim journalist Rafia Tamanana, an editorial assistant at New Age, described the incident in a post on her Facebook account.

"Three to four youths emerged from the shop, followed me, and stood next to me. When my brother intervened, they assaulted him and began beating him," she said.

Rafia also said that she was attacked and beaten by the group when she tried to protect her brother.

"People in the area just watched the scene like spectators, and no one came to our aid. The attackers even called for reinforcements to form a mob," she added.

Rafia explained that both she and her brother fled the scene to escape further harm. "Am I not safe in my own neighbourhood?" she questioned.

The police were alerted afterward, and Rafia was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. She mentioned she would file a formal complaint following her treatment.

One police team was reviewing the CCTV footage of the area, while another was supporting the victim. Action will be taken once a complaint is filed, said police.