Little progress in Balu murder trial

In the morning, journalists and other newspaper employees, joined by Dainik Janmabhumi staff, brought out a mourning procession in the town, offered prayer and laid floral wreaths at his grave at Basupara graveyard in city.

This was followed by a discussion meeting, held at Khulna Press Club. Presided over by press club president Shaikh Abu Hasan, it was addressed by Khulna correspondent of the Independent Shahabuddin Ahmed, Bureau Chief of Dainik Samakal Mamun Reza, Correspondent of Dainik Sangbad Rakibuddin Pannu, Bureau Chief of Dainik Janakantha Amol Saha, Acting Editor of Dainik Janmabhumi Wadudur Rahman Panna, Secretary of the press club Md Faruque Ahmed, Bureua Chief of Dainik Loksamaj Abu Tayeb, Senior Staff Reporter of Dainik Purbanchal Mohammod Shaheb Ali and Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) President Makbul Hossain Mintoo.

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The discussion was followed by a rally organised jointly by members of the press club, KUJ and Metropolitan Union of Journalists (MUJ).

The speakers demanded immediate arrest of the killers. They deplored that none of the accused could be arrested even one year after the brutal killing. They held police responsible for this.

They said journalism is the most risky profession in the country.

A Milad Mehfil was held at the press club after Asar prayer.

Humayun Kabir Balu was killed in a bomb attack allegedly by extremists on June 27 last year in front of his office-cum-residence at Islampur Road in the city.

A case was filed with Khulna thana in this connection by SI Maruf Hossain as complainant on June 28 which was transferred to the Detective Branch of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) on June 29.

Inspector Mohiuddin Chowdhury of Detective Branch of KMP submitted charge sheet in the case to the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate under the Explosive Substances Act on August 29 last year, naming eight operatives of Janajuddho faction of PBCP (Purba Banglar Communist Party) as accused.

The charge sheet of the case under Section 320 of CrPC was submitted to the same court on April 26 this year, also naming the same eight extremists as accused.

The chargesheeted accused include founder of PBCP Janajuddho Abdur Rashid Mali alias Tapan. He is absconding, according to police.

Hearing on the charge sheet submitted will begin on June 30 in the court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, while hearing on the charge sheet under the Explosive Substances Act will begin on July 13 in the court of the District and Sessions Judge, Khulna.