RANGPUR, Jan 9, 2025 (BSS) –Rangpur Union of Journalists (RpUJ) has taken all out preparations to hold a rally at local Town Hall premises demanding justice for journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder incident and protecting the rights of journalists.
 
The Journalists from the rally will demand speedy trial and fair investigation into the Sagar-Runi murder case as well as holding trial of the killers of journalists in the past including those five newsmen who were murdered during the July mass uprising in 2024.
 
The demands will also include repeal of restrictive laws against media freedom, enactment of journalist protection law, financial security, establishment of a fascism-free media, ensuring safety at work, and an end to attacks, lawsuits, and harassment.
 
The rally will be inaugurated by Shamsi Ara Zaman Koli, mother of journalist Tahir Zaman Priyo, who was martyred in the July 2024 revolution, and a member of the July Shaheed Smriti Foundation.
 
Acting President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Obaidur Rahman Shahin will attend the rally as the chief guest. BFUJ Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury will present a keynote speech on the occasion.
 
Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Md Shahidul Islam, BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Dr Sadiqul Islam Swapan and Organizing Secretary Erfanul Haque Nahid, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Board Member and Publisher and Editor of the Dainik Juger Alo Momtaz Shirin Bhorsa will attend as special guests.
 
Rangpur Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam, Rangpur Range DIG Md Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Majid Ali, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal and Superintendent of Police Md Abu Saim will be present as guests of honor at the rally.
 
RpUJ President Salequzzaman Salek will preside over the event while its General Secretary Sarkar Mazharul Mannan will moderate the event.
 
Member-secretary of the Rally Implementation Committee Badshah Osmani said that maximum efforts have been put to organize a successful divisional journalists’ rally.
 
“We have invited journalists in every district and upazila of the division. We are already receiving a huge response. The event is expected to realize our rights and will serve as an exceptional milestone," he said.
 
Convener of the Rally Implementation Committee Rezaul Karim Manik said that all preparations are completed.
 
“We are inspired by the response of our colleagues to this rally to realize our rights. We hope that more than 500 journalists will participate in the rally," he said.
 
RpUJ General Secretary Sarkar Mazharul Mannan said that the time for submitting investigation reports on the murder of journalist couple Sagar-Runi has been exceeded more than a hundred times.
 
“This is the biggest evidence of the insecurity of journalists. We want to see justice for the killers of all journalists, including Sagar-Runi and five martyrs of the July Revolution,” he said.
 
Although hundreds of media outlets have been approved, journalists working outside Dhaka don’t have financial security. There is no law to protect journalists.
 
“Furthermore, the freedom of speech and writing of journalists has been curtailed by various restrictive laws, including the Cyber Security Act. That is why we want to demand our rights, security, and above to stop attacks, cases, murders, and bring justice to the killers of all journalists,” he said.
 
RpUJ President Salekuzzaman Salek said, "All kinds of campaigns are in the final stages for holding the divisional rally.
 
“I hope a successful divisional rally will be held in Rangpur to serve as an inspiration to realize the rights of all journalists in the country," he added.