Journos give 48hrs ultimatum to arrest abductors

Journalists in Rangpur yesterday threatened to wage a tougher movement if the accused, who abducted journalist SM Piyal, and killed another journalist Utsho, are not arrested within 48 hours.

Piyal, 42, staff correspondent of Rangpur-based daily Rangpur Chaitra and also Rangpur correspondent of the national daily Bonik Barta, was rescued from the plant of Orchid International, on December 31, two hours after he was abducted allegedly by owner of the local business firm Tanmoy for writing against the company.

On December 24, Mashiur Rahman Utsho, staff reporter of the local daily Juger Alo, was killed by unknown people for publishing a report against the drug peddlers in the district.

Yesterday, the journalists mentioned that Tanmoy already got bail on Friday while his two accomplices are yet to be arrested and police could not even recover Utsho's motorcycle, camera and mobile phone yet.

The journalists under the banner of Sommilito Sangbadik Somaj, a platform formed after Utsho's murder, besieged the office of superintendent of police, submitted a memorandum to additional superintendent of police, and staged a rally on Rangpur Press Club premises.

According to sources, police have already taken five people on remand in Utsho killing case, and are conducting drives to arrest Piyal's abductors.