10 get 'permanent bail'

The 10 newsmen, cultural activists and political leaders leaving court premises after bail on Tuesday. PHOTO: STAR

They are Z I Mamun, Kawsar Mahmud, Shamsuddin Haider Dalim and Badal Mustafiz--all former employees of ETV (Ekushey Television) now working with satellite channel ATN Bangla and ntv--; Shawkat Milton, Senior Staff Reporter of daily Jugantar; Barisal Awami League leaders Golam Masud Bablu and Munir Hossain; Syed Dulal, editor of local daily Ajker Paribarton; Shamim Ahmed, Barisal Correspondent of UNB news agency and daily Khabor Patro and cultural activist Mintu Basu.

They were sued under the Explosives Act.

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They appeared before the court of Barisal Sadar Upazila Magistrate and sought permanent bail in two cases filed against them.

Magistrate Md. Ibrahim granted them permanent bail and also allowed five of them to appear in court through their advocates.

The court fixed September 9 for next hearing of the cases.

The two cases were filed by local BNP leader advocate Anwar Hossain Bhulu and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Shakhawt Hossain Rumman after a gathering of media men, cultural activists and members of local elite in front of Aswani Kumar Hall organised under the banner of 'Amra Ekushey Telivision Dekhte Chai' (we want to see Ekushey Television) was attacked allegedly by some JCD activists on September 2, 2002.

Over 20 persons including journalist Shawkat Milton, Belayet Hossain Bablu, Shamim Ahmed, Mintu Basu, Akter Faruk Shahin were injured in the attack.

The 10 accused were granted interim bail from the High Court on September 10, 2002. The HC also ordered them to seek permanent bail from a lower court.