Dhaka, July 23 (UNB) – Leaders of the journalist community expressed grave concern at the order of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) authority barring their entry into the hospital.

The journalist leaders also condemned the DMCH authorities` dubious role as they have not yet lifted the ban on the entry of journalists into the hospital for professional duty despite apolosising for Sunday`s assault on five journalists by a group of DMCH intern doctors.
 
The DMCH management in an order issued on Monday restricted entry by the journalists into the hospital without obtaining prior permission from concerned authority.

The DMCH management also formed a six-member inquiry committee to investigate Sunday`s incidence, directing the committee to submit its report within five working days starting from Monday.

The five working journalists came under attack by a group of agitating intern-doctors on Sunday when they arrived at the hospital premises to follow-up on their earlier story about their agitation.

In separate statements, issued by Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) and Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), the journalist leaders said the imposition of ban on journalists` entry into DMCH is an infringement of the freedom of press.

The CRAB and DRU leaders urged the authorities concerned to arrest the journalist assaulters and bring them to justice.

They also hoped that the DMCH authority will lift such undemocratic ban immediately.

Signatories to the statements are: CRAB presdent Akhtaruzzaman Lablu, general secretary Israf Hossain Isa and organizing secretary Jilani Milton, DRU president Sakhawat Hossain Badshah and general secretary Sazzad Alam Khan Topu.