On the eve of Valentine's Day, three journalists were attacked in the flower market of Shahbagh while gathering news about the reason for the increase in the price of flowers. All of them are students of Dhaka University and leaders of University Journalists Association (DUZA). They filed a written complaint in Shahbag police station.

The attack took place on Tuesday afternoon. The three victims of the attack are Russell Sarkar (25), Imdadul Azad (24) and Monirul Islam (24). Among them, Russell Duza is the current committee vice-chairman, Imdadul is the finance secretary and Monirul Duza is the former executive member. Russell is working as a university representative for bdnews24.com, Imdadul Radio Today and Monirul Newsbangla24.com.

The written complaint given to the police was signed by the victim Monirul Islam. It is said, 'today Tuesday at four o'clock in the afternoon, I and my colleague Russel Sarkar went to Fultala Flower Shop of Shahbag Mor Flower Market to collect news about the reason for the increase in the price of flowers. When we wanted to talk to Payal, who was working in that shop, he refused to talk to us. At one stage he started misbehaving with us and called us fake journalists. When I protested verbally, he got excited and started kicking and slapping me. When my colleague Russell went to protest, Payal, Sallu, A. Razzak, Bulu, Didar, Babu, Jahangir, along with 6-7 unknown people came and beat us both.'

The complaint also states, 'On hearing about the incident of beating, another colleague of ours named Imdadul Azad (24) came to the scene in the identity of a journalist and asked to know the details of the incident, those people also beat him and threatened him in various ways. As we were leaving the spot, the accused ambushed us from behind. At this time, Imdadul Azad was thrown into the street and beaten up. His right eye was injured. Later some students of Dhaka University recognized us and rescued us from the spot and took Imdadul to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

When asked, Marin Sheikh, the owner of Fultala Flower Shop, told Prothom Alo, 'I am outside Dhaka. But what I got to know from the employees of the shop on the phone is that a journalist from Dhaka University came to the shop to buy flowers. With Valentine's Day ahead tomorrow, the price of flowers is a little higher. The employees had a discussion with the journalist about the price of flowers. At one point, a fight broke out. Later, the students of Dhaka University along with more journalists came and vandalized my shop and caused a loss of three lakh rupees.

Regarding the complaint, Shahbag police station officer-in-charge Mostazirur Rahman told reporters that they have received a written complaint. Legal action is under process in this incident.