Khulna: Journalists of Khulna today demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack on two Amar Desh newsmen. The incident, which took place on Saturday last at Shibbari area in Khulna, left the journalistic community in shock and prompted a strong call for action.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the two journalists who were attacked are Ehteshamul Haque Shawon, the Assistant General Secretary of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Khulna Bureau Chief of Amar Desh, and staff reporter Kamrul Hossain Moni. The Metropolitan Union of Journalists (MUJ) Khulna chapter organized a protest rally in front of Khulna Press Club to voice their concerns and demand accountability.
Speakers at the rally criticized the deteriorating law and order situation in Khulna city, attributing it to administrative negligence and police inaction. They expressed frustration that the attackers, who assaulted two professional journalists in broad daylight in the city center, remained at large even after 24 hours. The rally was presided over by MUJ’s acting general secretary Abul Hasan Himalay, with Treasurer Abdur Razzak Rana conducting the proceedings.
The event saw participation from various political and social leaders. Advocate S.M. Shafiqul Alam Mona, member of the BNP National Executive Committee and president of Khulna City BNP, and other notable figures such as Professor Mahfuzur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Md. Moniruzzaman Montu of Khulna District BNP spoke at the rally. They were joined by Enamul Haque and Rafiul Islam Tutul from Khulna Press Club, and Mizanur Rahman Milton from Khulna Newspaper Council.
Former BFUJ vice-president Rashidul Islam and leaders from organizations like Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the July 36 Movement also voiced their support. The rally also drew support from leaders of political and social organizations, including CPB’s former city president Mizanur Rahman Babu and BJP’s Siraj Uddin Sintu, who expressed solidarity with the journalists’ demands for justice.