Police have arrested two journalists, including a staff reporter of a national daily, on charges of extortion and obstructing construction work at a government college in Jhenaidah on Monday.
The arrestees were identified as Aritra Kumar Kundu, Staff Reporter of daily Protidiner Bangladesh, and Habibur Rahman Rubel, correspondent of Bangla-71.
Aritra went to Government Nurunnahar Mahila College on Monday noon to inquire about the alleged selling of wall bricks and allegedly demanded Tk 50,000 in extortion from College Principal Bijon Kumar Sarkar. When the principal refused, Aritra threatened him, police said.
As news spread, a group of locals gathered and physically assaulted Aritra and his associate Rubel. Detective Branch (DB) Police rescued them from the spot and took Aritra to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital for treatment before bringing them to the police station.
Later in the afternoon, Principal Bijon Kumar Sarkar filed an extortion case against them.
However, Aritra denied the allegations, claiming he went to report on brick smuggling from the college boundary wall. He alleged that he was called back to the campus from a nearby courier service and beaten up by a group of youths who later framed him with false charges.
Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Billal Hossain said suspects were arrested in the case filed by the principal.