KHULNA, June 27, 2024 (BSS) - The 20th death anniversary of Journalist Humayun Kabir Balu was observed here today in a befitting manner.

Khulna Press Club (KPC) and Professional Journalists Protection Forum (PJPF)have chalked out different programmes marking the death anniversary of Journalist Humayun Kabir Balu.

KPC paid tributes at the monument, a memorial built in memory of slain journalists including Balu and Manik Saha on KPC premises in the morning.

Afterwards, a discussion meeting was held at the Humayun Kabir Balu Lounge at KPC with its president S M Nazrul Islam in the chair.

Mayor of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Talukder Abdul Khaleque addressed the meeting as chief guest and general secretary of city unit AL MDA Babul Rana addressed as special guest.

Among others, KPC general secretary Mamun Reza, ex-president of KPC MonirulHuda Moqbul Hossain Mintu, S M Zahid Hossain, senior journalists Mahbub Alam Sohag, Mohammad Ali Sony, Md Saheb Ali, Hasan Ahmed Mollaa addressed the meeting.

The chief guest KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said, "We will not forget the contribution of Humayun Kabir Balu in different fields including Journalism and social welfare."

Remembering Balu's role during our Great Liberation War, Khaleque also the
president of city unit AL, said people will remember journalist Balu's works for developing Greater Khulna and organizing freedom fighters during the great Liberation War.

He also lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving 'Ekushey Padak' to late journalists Humayun Kabir Balu and Manik Shaha for their outstanding roles during the Liberation War as well as in the field of journalism.

During the discussion, journalist leaders demanded a fresh probe into journalist Humayun Kabir Balu killing case because all of the accused were acquitted due to weak investigation and flawed charge sheet.

Humayun Kabir Balu, the then Editor of Dainik Janmobhumi and President of the KPC was murdered on June 27 in 2004 in front of his office-cum-residence in the city. He was returning home from his paternal house after handing over sweetmeat to his elderly mother for the successful result of his daughter Husna Mehruba Tumpa in the SSC examination.

The journalist leaders urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take proper steps to reinvestigate into Balu killing case. Later, a doa mahfil was held.

Meanwhile, Khulna Professional Journalist Protection Forum paid rich tributes at the portrait of Humayun Kabir Balu on the office-cum-residence premises of Humayun Kabir Balu. Besides, a doa mahfil and munajat was offered at his grave in city's Basupara area.

Later, the Journalists Forum brought out a human chain at Shaheed Dr Milon
Square on KDA Avenue demanded fresh reinvestigation into the Balu killing
case.