Journalist's son beaten over toll dispute in Jamalpur, highway blocked

Toll collectors at the Brahmaputra Bridge in Jamalpur reportedly assaulted the son of a journalist following an altercation over toll payment. The incident occurred on Friday evening when the victim, Suman, allegedly took a few extra moments to pay a nominal toll of five taka for his motorcycle. When local journalists arrived at the toll plaza to investigate the matter, they were also attacked with sticks, leaving a journalist named Shahidul Islam Tufan injured. Outraged locals subsequently blocked the Jamalpur-Sherpur highway in protest.

According to local eyewitnesses, Suman had pulled his motorcycle aside to retrieve the toll money. During this brief delay, the toll collection staff engaged in a heated argument with him, which quickly escalated into physical violence. As news of the assault spread, Suman's acquaintances and local media professionals went to the plaza to seek clarification from the management. However, the toll workers reportedly turned violent again, leading to the injury of journalist Tufan.

The repeated attacks sparked widespread anger among the residents and relatives of the injured victims. Demonstrators initially gathered at the Bonderbari area of Jamalpur town before moving to the toll plaza on the Brahmaputra Bridge, blocking all vehicular movement. The blockade created a severe gridlock, stranding hundreds of vehicles on both sides of the corridor. Suman demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of the toll workers involved in the assault.

Law enforcement agencies promptly arrived at the scene to diffuse the mounting tension. Officials from the Jamalpur Sadar Police Station engaged in negotiations with the protesters to restore traffic order. Senior police officials confirmed that an official investigation is underway, assuring that stringent legal action will be taken against those responsible once a formal written complaint is filed.