Trial of journo Ala Uddin murder not completed in 12 years
SM Ala Uddin
Twelve years into the murder of Satkhira journalist SM Ala Uddin, the assailants are yet to be punished while trial of the sensational case has remained suspended or stayed by the orders of the High Court and the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for several years. SM Ala Uddin, editor of the daily Patradut and an elected member of the then Provincial Assembly from Tala-Kalaroa constituency as an Awami League candidate in 1970, was shot dead while discharging his professional duty at his Satkhira office on June 19 in 1996. Police arrested an Awami Jubo League activist Saiful Islam after five days of the incident. He disclosed the names of other accused. The investigation officer submitted charge sheet with a magistrate's court at Satkhira pressing charges against 10 accused after over 11 months of investigation on May 5 in 1997. The charge sheeted accused are Abdus Sabur, Khalilullah Jhharu, Saifullah Kislu, Momin Ullah Mohon, Abdur Rouf, Abul Kalam, Eskendar Mirza, Atiar Rahman, Saiful Islam and Safiur Rahman. Saifullah Kislu died while Abdur Rouf is now detained in jail as he was convicted in a separate murder case earlier. Abdus Sabur, Khalilullah Jhharu, Abul Kalam, Saiful Islam, Momin Ullah Mohon and Safiul Islam were released on bail granted by the High Court while Matiar Rahman and Eskendar have been absconding since the murder. Several organisations including Satkhira Press Club have chalked out separate programmes today to observe 12th death anniversary of the slain journalist.
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