Journalists protest across country

Journalists brought out processions in Satkhira yesterday protesting the bomb attack at Khulna Press Club. PHOTO: STAR

They condemned the barbaric attack and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the attackers and government steps to prevent such incidents.

From divisional cities to upazila towns, they marched streets shouting slogans and carrying banners decrying such recurring incidents.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Our RU Correspondent reports: Working journalist of Rajshahi University (RU) have demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits and security of all journalists across the country.

Different organisations including Progressive Teachers' Association, Anti-imperialism Teachers' Forum,

Jatiyatabidi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Chhatra Federation, Samajtrantrik Chhatra Front (SCF), Sammilito Sangskritik Jote, Anushilon Drama Group, Gono Shilpi Sangstha and Udichi have expressed their great concern over the incident.

Our Kushtia Correspondent reports: A procession was brought out in the town on the day under the banner of Kushtia Reporters' Unity. After the procession, the Reporters' Unity members held a meeting presided over by its President SM Halimuzzaman.

Speakers expressed their great concern over unabated attack on journalists. They demanded their full security.

Among others, Matiur Rah-man, (Daily Khabar), Amanur Aman (The Daily Star) Munshi Torikul Islam (NTV, UNB), Al-Mamun (ATN, Jugantar), M A Rakib (Janakantha), Hasanul Kabir (Dinkal), Noor Alam (Bhorer Kagoj), AFM Nurul Kader (Naya Diganta), Arif Mehmud (Bangla Bazar), Al-Arefin (News Today), Arpan Mahmud (Desh Bangla), Rezaul Karim (NNB) addressed the meeting.

Our Barisal Correspondent reports: Barisal Journalists Union (BJU) and Barisal Reporters' Unity (BRU) in separate meetings at their offices condemned the attack. BJU President Aroop Talukdar presided over the Journalists Union meting while BRU President Mir Maniruzza-man presided over the Reporters' Unity meeting.

Wearing black veils, BJU and BRU members brought out a joint procession and paraded the main streets of the city.

At the end of the procession, the journalists held a protest meeting in front of Aswini Kumar Hall. They demanded immediate investigation into the bomb blast incident and punishment to criminals.

While addressing, the journalist leaders expressed their grave concern over the serial killings, attacks, life threats and tortures on journalist and said the journalists would carry on their sacred duties despite all odds.

Our Manikganj Corres-pondent reports: Manik-ganj Press Club and Manikganj district unit of Bangladesh Sangbadik Samity yesterday brought out a joint silent procession in the town.

After parading the streets of the town, the processionists held a meeting in front of the Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office protesting the attack. They also submitted a memorandum to the DC.

The meeting was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Sangbadik Samity Secretay General Kalyan Saha, Manikganj Press Club President AFM Nurtar Alam, Vice President Saifuddin Ahmed, Secretary Golam Sarwar, President of Manikganj district unit of Sangbadik Samity Liakat Ali, Secretary Mustaque Ahamed and Manikganj correspondent of The Daily Star Zahangir Alam Biswas.

Speakers demanded arrest and punishment to the attackers.

Our Satkhira Correspondent reports: Journalists under the auspices of Satkhira Reporters Club brought out a silent procession in the town and held a meeting on the club premises.

Mizanur Rahman, (Janakan-tha), Convenor, Reporters Club was in the chair. It was addressed, among others, by Prof Abu Ahmed (The Daily Star), Subhas Chowdhury (Bhorer Kagoj), Kalyan Banerjee (Prothom Alo), Ramkrishna Chakraborty (Jugantor), Abdul Bari (Dinkal), Kazi Dulal (Ajker Kagoj), Kazi Shahidul Islam (Naya Diganta), Yarab Hossain (Runner), Alamgir Siddique (Loksamaj), Akbar Kabir (Gramer Kagoj), Rezaul Islam (Khabar) Jalil (Kalyan), Manirul Islam (Patradut), Zillur Rahman (NNB), Sheika Farid Ahmed (Kafela) and Dilip Dev.

Speakers urged the government to take stern action against those involved in the bomb attack.

Another procession will be held on Thursday. After the procession, the journalists will submit a memorandum to Satkhira Deputy Commissioner (DC).

A BSS report from Kisho-reganj says: Local newsmen organised a silent procession in the town under the auspices of Kishoreganj Press Club.

Processionists paraded New Market, Gourangibazar, Kalibazar, Akhrabazar, Ishakhan Road in the town.

The procession was followed by a protest meeting in front of the office of Ajker Sara Din. Kishoreganj Press Club President Mokstafa Kamal was in the chair. It was addressed, among others, by Ajker Sara Din Editor Kamrul Anam, Bhorer Kagoj Correspondent Saifuddin Ahmed, BSS Corres-pondent Saiful Malek Chowdhury, NTV Correspondent Advocate Maruf Ahmed and Manabjamin Correspondent Noor Mohammad.

Speakers have demanded exemplary punishment to the attackers.

Our Jessore Correspondent reports: Journalists yesterday formed a human chain in front of the press club, followed by a protest procession in the city. The processionists, joint by editors of local dailies, chanted various slogans demanding immediate government steps to nab the culprits and to check recurrence of such incidents.

Jessore Union of Journalists will hold a rally in the town today.