Death of judges in Jhalakathi bombing sparks protests
Senior Assistant Judges Shahid Sohel Ahmed, 35, of Nalchhiti and Jagannath Ppandey, 38, of Jhalakathi were killed when a powerful bomb was hurled on their microbus yesterday.
Lawyers in different districts held rallies, meetings and marched streets, bitterly condemning the dastardly act in the name of religion.
They also demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the attackers and stern action to stop such incidents. Otherwise, the judicial system will collapse, which will give rise to anarchy in the country, they warned.
In Mymensingh, lawyers boycotted courts, in addition to holding a protest meeting.
Our Mymensingh Correspondent reports: Protesting the killing of two judges in a bomb attack in Jhalakathi, members of Mymensingh Bar Association boycotted courts yesterday and brought out a protest procession on the court premises.
Later, a protest meeting as held at the Bar Association auditorium with its president Muslem Uddin in the chair. It was addressed by, among others, M Jubed Ali, Anisur Rahman, Juhirul Haque, Monjurul Haque Wazedul Islam, Mahmud-Al-Noor Tareq, Muazzem Hossain Babul, Kabir Uddin Bhuiyan, Nazrul Islam Chunnu and Emdadul Haque Millat.
The speakers held the BNP-led coalition government responsible for nourishing fundamentalist elements who have been making bomb attacks across the country.
Judges and officials of judge courts held a meeting at judge court building with District and Session Jjudge Anisuzzaman in the chair.
They bitterly condemned the incident and demanded punishment of those responsible in the killings.
Thee meeting expressed sympathy with members of the bereaved families and prayed for salvation of the departed souls.
Our Manikganj Correspondent reports: Judges and lawyers in Manikganj held a emergency meeting to protest the killing of two judges in a bomb attack at Jhalkathi.
With District and Sessions Judge Md Asgar Ali the chair, the meeting was addressed by, among others, Public Prosecutors Moksedur Rahman and Azad Hossain Khan, Manikganj Bar Association President Rahmat Ali, its secretary Khalilur Rahman, Hezazur Rahman Khan Baku and Abdul Mojid Photo.
The condemned the barbaric attack and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment to the attackers and government steps at stop such indents. They also demanded security of all Judges in the country.
Earlier, the Bar Association members brought out a procession in the town and held a meeting at the Bar Association building protesting the attack.
Our Staff Correspondent reports from Khulna: District and Sessions Judge AKM Ishtiaque Hossain said he is feeling insecure to attend court in view of the death of two judges in a bomb attack in Jhalakati.
"All other judges of my court are absolutely scared", he said when this correspondent met him in his chamber at noon yesterday to know his reaction to the bomb attack on judges by Islamist extremists.
The District Judge told this correspondent that his official residence is not at all secure as it is only about 100 yards from the bank of Bhairab river. There is enough scope for terrorists to attack my residence from the riverside as the backyard of remains unguarded, he said.
"Necessary security measures have been taken to save lives of judges and magistrates from attack of terrorists or Islamist extremists. Yet, we are not at all feeling secure. Because, target murders are beyond control of law enforcers", he said.
Meanwhile, security measures were beefed up in and around the Judges' Court and the court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate.
Lawyers brought out a procession in protest against killing of two judges in Jhalkati and strongly condemned the government's alleged failure to stop such bomb attacks.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Work in the Judges' Court remained suspended out of panic and in protest against the murders.
Awami League brought out a procession in the afternoon condemning the attack and demanding immediate arrest of all Islamist extremists and their ringleaders Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai.
Our Jessore Correspondent reports: Lawyers and judges burst into protests as soon as the news of killing of two judges reached the town yesterday.
Judges left courts to hold a meeting to demand safety of their lives while lawyers came on streets to protest the gruesome killings. The processioinists the main streets.
The judges did not make any comment to journalists when asked about their reaction to the killings.
Magistrates also left courts in protest against the killing of two judges in Jhalakati.
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) searched different courts as part of precautionary measures.
Our Satkhira Correspondent reports: the Satkhira Bar Association held a meeting at the Bar Association auditorium protesting the killings
With its president Abdul Hossain in the chair, the meeting was addressed by, among others, SM Haidar, Shah Alam, Solam Mostafa, Moharall Ali, Mustafa Lutfullah, Nurul Alam, Abdus Sattar, Safiqul Islam. They demanded immediate arrest and punishment to the culprits and steps to ensure security of life of judges.
Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports: The local Bar Association brought out a protest procession and held a rally at the court compo, demanding security of life of judges. It was addressed by, among others, Abdul Aziz, Wahid Sarwar Kalam, Golam Wahid Chowdhury, Abdul Hai and Humayun Kabir.
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