The NSI men's atrocities sparked angry demonstrations and rallies in several divisional and district headquarters.

Nine lensmen of different national dailies were injured, three of them critically, when NSI men swooped on photojournalists in front of their Shegunbagicha office in the capital on Thursady.

The trouble ensued when Enamul Kabir of the Janakantha was on professional work, taking a photograph of graffiti on the newly painted boundary wall of the NSI office.

About 50 NSI men came on the street in front of their office, indiscriminately beat photojournalists who gathered there on information while crowds and policemen looked on.

The incident triggered demonstrations by journalists and photojournalists in Dhaka on Thursday and Friday, protesting the atrocities by NSI men.

Our Staff Correspondent reports from Rajshahi:

Journalists and photojournalists in Rajshahi staged angry demonstrations and held a rally yesterday in protest against Thursday's attack on their colleagues in Dhaka.

The demonstrators, joined by other professionals and cultural activists, demanded punishment to the NSI men involved in the attack. They marched the city streets and shouted slogans demanding an end to repression on journalists in different areas of the country.

Journalist leaders at the rally at Shaheb Bazar also condemned filing of case by NSI men against the photographers and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

The speakers said the NSI men acted against the spirit of the Constitution by obstructing photojournalists from discharging their professional duties.

Prothom Alo's staff photojournalist in Rajshahi Azhar Uddin chaired the rally, organised by Rajshahi unit of Bangladesh Photojournalists' Association.

The rally was addressed by, among others, Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad Convenor Zamat Khan, Prof Dr Sujit Sarker of Rajshahi University (RU), the Sonali Shangbad News Editor Hasan Millat, Metropolitan Press Club General Secretary Anisuzzman and the Samakal photo journalist Abdul Zabid Apu.

Jatiya Sangabadik Sangstha Rajshahi unit general secretary Rafik Alam, Rajshahi Journalist Union General Secretary Zamilur Rahman Dulal, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Joint Secretary General Rejaul Karim Raju and Sangbadpathro Karmochari Union General Secretary Abdul Bashar also spoke at the rally.

The rally was conducted by journalist and human rights activist Jahangir Alam Akash.

The speakers demanded government steps to stop recurrence of such incidents.

The protesters also demanded an impartial probe into the matter, an apology from NSI men involved in the attack and compensation for the injured photojournalists whose cameras were snatched away and motorbikes damaged during the attack.

The Progressive Teachers Association (PTA) of RU yesterday in a statement expressed deep concern at the attack on working photojournalists.

They termed the attack an exposition of "undemocratic attitude" of the government and demanded exemplary punishment of the persons responsible.

The Metropolitan Press Club, Rajshahi Press Club and other newsmen's organisations here also condemned the attack.

NSI Constable Mohammad Sanaullah filed the case accusing some 20 photojournalists including Enamul Kabir, Sheikh Mamun, Anis Ahmed, Meer Ahmmed Miru and Wahid Hasan Raja for 'entering into the NSI premises without prior permission'.

Our Mymensingh Correspondent Reports: The Mymensingh unit of Bangladesh Photo Journalists Association (BPJA) brought out a procession in the town yesterday protesting Thursday's incident in Dhaka.

The procession brought out from local press club auditorium paraded the main throughfares of the town.

Earlier, a protest meeting was held at the press club auditorium with Zillur Rahman Khan, Publicity and Publication Secretary of Bangladesh Sangbadik Samity in the chair.

Nazib Ashraf and Adiluzzaman Adil, president and secretary of Mymensingh BPJA; its leaders Biplob Guha Manik, Kazi Munna, Puluk and Ataul Karim Khokon; Mymensingh Sangbadik Samity General Secretary Saiful Islam, Mir Golam Mustafa of Samokal, Babul Hossain of Janakantha, Abul Hasim of Dainik Jahan, among other, addressed the rally.

They demanded immediate withdrawal of the false case filed against the photojournalists regarding Thursday's incident. They also demanded punishment of the NSI men involved in the attack. The attack on the journalists by NSI men is an attack on press freedom they said and demanded government steps to stop repeat of such incidents ion future.

Our Staff Correspondent reports from Chittagong:

Chittagong Union of Journalists (CUJ) yesterday strongly protested the attack on photojournalists by NSI men.

At a press statement the CUJ leaders said, the physical assault of journalists in the capital was an indication to the sort of freedom the press and newsmen enjoy in the country.

They said NSI men are supposed to ensure national security and safety. The assault of journalists has now raised a question about their (NSI men's) role in maintaining security and safety.

The CUJ leaders demanded exemplary punishment of the persons responsible for the attack and compensation to the journalists.

The signatories included CUJ President Mostaque Ahmed and General Secretary Shahid Ul Alam.

Leaders of Chittagong Press Club in a separate statement condemned the attack and expressed concern about press freedom in the country.

The government has not yet taken any action against the NSI men for their uncalled for and unprovoked action on photojournalists while they were doing their professional work. This shows the government's attitude as regards press freedom, the statement said.

Our Staff Correspondent reports from Sylhet Sylhet Press Club President Muktabis Un Noor

and General Secretary Ahmed Nur in a joint statement condemned Thursday's attack on photojournalists in Dhaka, terming it an attack on the media.

They expressed grave concern and said such attack during professional work reflects government attitude towards press freedom.

They called upon the government to take measures against those responsible for the attack. They also demanded steps to stop such incident.

The Sylhet divisional unit of Bangladesh Photojournalists

Association also strongly condemned the attack and said it is an attack on the profession journalism.

They also demanded withdrawal of the false case lodged by the NSI against the photojournalists and threatened of tougher agitation.

The statement was signed by its president Ataur Rahman Ata and general Secretary Abdul Batin Faisal.