Journalists protest Belal's murder

Journalists brought out processions in Moulvibazar on Friday protesting the murder of Khulna journalist Shaikh Belaluddin. PHOTO: STAR

They brought out mourning processions in districts including Khulna, Moulvibazar, Satkhira, Patuakhali and Barisal.

In Khulna, Shaikh Belal's murder was condemned by local political leaders.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The leaders are Khulna City Mayor Shaikh Tayebur Rahman, Ali Asgar Lobi MP, Khulna city BNP Secretary Nazrul Islam Manju, former Speaker Razzak Ali, district Awami League President Shaikh Haroon-ar-Rashid, city Awami League President Talukder Abdul Khaleque MP, Jatiya Party leader Abul Hossain, Khulna city President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) advocate Feroze Ahmed, Amir of the city Jamaat Master Shafiqul Alam and Workers' Party leader Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan.

The leaders also prayed to Almighty Allah for salvation of the departed soul.

Our Moulvibazar Correspondent reports: Journalists here brought out a protest procession and paraded the main streets of the town.

After the procession, a meeting was held at Moulvibazar Press Club which was presided over by Bokshi Iqbal Ahmed.

Speakers called upon the journalists to get united for their safety and security.

Among others, Press Club Geneal Secretary Rajat Kanti Goswami (The Daily Star), Abdul Hamid Mahbub of Banglabazar Potrika, Akmol Hossain Nipu of Prothom Alo, Ashok Kumar Das of The Bangladesh Observer, M A Muhit of Jugantor, Shah Waliur Rahman of Amar Desh, Md Mostafa of News Today, Fozlul Karim of Janata), Tomal Ferdous of Bangladesh Today, Hasanat Kamal of New Age and Masud Ahmed of Manabjamin addressed the meeting.

Our Satkhira Correspondent reports: Journalists under the banner of Satkhira Press Club and Satkhira Reporters Club brought out separate processions and held a joint meeting at Satkira Reporters Club presided over by journalist Subhas Chowdhury.

Among others, Prof Abu Ahmed, Kalyan Banerjee, Ram Krishna Chakrabarty, Abdul Bari, Kazi Dulal, Yarab Hossain, Momtaz Ahmed, Abdul Jalil and Rezaul Islam addressed the meetingf.

Speakers demanded immediate arrest and punishment to the culprits.

Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports: A protest meeting was held at Patuakhali Press Club which was presided over by club president Md Zakir Hossain.

Among others, Abu Zafar Khan, advocate Alamgir Hossain, Foyezur Rahman, Golam Kibria and Jalal Ahmed addressed the meeting.

A three-day mourning programme was announced by the Press Club executives which include protest rally and human chain.

Our Barisal Correspondent reports: The members of Barisal Reporters' Unity (BRU) organised a condolence meeting at their office just after receiving the death news of journalist Belal.

BRU President Mir Maniruzzaman presided over the meeting while it was addressed, among others, by Toufiq Maruf, General Secretary of Barisal Journalists' Union (BJU), BRU Secretary Swapan Khondokar, Iftikhar Ali, Pulok Chaterjee, Ismail Hossain and Anisur Rahman.

Speakers demanded immediate arrest to the attackers and their exemplary punishment.

Barisal Journalists' Union (BJU), Barisal Press Club and Barisal Reporters' Unity (BRU) jointly announced a three-day mourning programme including wearing of black badges and hoisting of black flags in their offices.

Later, a joint procession was brought out in the city. Processionists paraded the main streets of the city.