Journalist Swapon Bhadra Brutally Murdered in Bangladesh, Raising Alarming Concerns Over Safety of Media Personnel
October 13, 2024, Mymensingh, Bangladesh – In a tragic and brutal act of violence, 65-year-old veteran journalist Swapon Bhadra was hacked to death by an assailant in front of his house in the Majhipara area of Shambhuganj, Mymensingh district. The attack, carried out on Saturday morning around 11:00 am, has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists and the escalating violence against minority communities in Bangladesh.
Swapon Bhadra, a well-respected figure in his community and vice-president of the Tarakanda Upazila Press Club, was known for his outspoken social media posts on various local issues, including the increasing drug activity in his area. Bhadra, who previously served as a correspondent for Daily Swajan, had faced threats and violence before. About a year prior, he narrowly escaped an attack believed to be linked to his critical posts against social issues, including narcotics.
According to his nephew, Jewel Bhadra, Swapon was sitting outside his home when he was attacked by an 18-year-old suspect, Sagar Mia, armed with a sharp blade. Witnesses recount that Swapon’s left wrist was amputated during the attack, and he suffered severe injuries to his head and shoulder. His wife’s screams alerted neighbors, who rushed him to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The local community is in shock. Many gathered at the hospital morgue, expressing grief and frustration over the rising insecurity for journalists. Abul Kashem, a sub-inspector from Kotwali Model Police Station, reported that Swapon had six severe wounds on his shoulder, multiple cuts across his body, and a severed wrist.
Relatives of the deceased allege that the murder was directly linked to Swapon’s outspoken criticism on social media. Swapon’s nephew, Manik Sarker, stated, “My uncle was murdered because he wrote posts against the narcotics issue in our locality. This was a planned retaliation for his activism.”
Authorities have detained Sagar Mia, who locals describe as a known drug addict with a reputation for violent behavior. Superintendent of Police in Mymensingh, Azizul Islam, confirmed the arrest and identified Sagar as the primary suspect, noting his criminal history and previous altercations with Swapon. “Sagar is a known vagabond with past allegations of knife attacks. Swapon had previously stood against his actions,” Islam stated, adding that the investigation is ongoing and further details would be released once confirmed.
Swapon Bhadra’s murder is part of a troubling pattern of violence against journalists and minority groups in Bangladesh. In recent years, attacks on journalists have escalated, particularly targeting those covering social issues and political unrest. Reports from organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have highlighted these risks, urging the Bangladesh government to take concrete steps to protect journalists.
On September 18, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported a startling 2,010 cases of communal violence nationwide from August 4 to 20. The report includes nine deaths, cases of rape, attacks on 69 places of worship, and hundreds of incidents of property damage. Just a day before Swapon’s murder, a firebomb was thrown at a temple in Dhaka during the Durga Puja festival, injuring five devotees and fueling anxieties within minority communities.
This disturbing pattern has sparked widespread calls for stronger protective measures. Proshantho Roy, a local resident from Chittagong, voiced his concern: “There is no law and order for minority communities here; people are being targeted, and we are left unprotected.”
As police investigate the brutal killing of Swapon Bhadra, journalists and activists across Bangladesh are urging the government to address the deep-rooted issues of violence, criminality, and lack of accountability, which threaten their lives and freedom of speech.
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