DHAKA, July 27, 2024 (BSS) - Journalist community has strongly condemned the killing and arson attacks during the quota reform movement and they extended full support to the government measures at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's directives to reinstate normalcy in the country.

The journalists today held a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the BNP-Jamaat and Shibir's violence and arson attacks during the quota movement.

The rally was organized by Muktijuddher Chetonar Sangbadik Forum presided over by its President Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, former media advisor to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The rally was addressed, among others, by Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, President of Jatyia Press Club Farida Yasmin, MP, President of BFUJ-Bangladesh Federal union of Journalists Omar Faruque, journalist leaders Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Abdul Jalil Bhuyian, Press Club general secretary Shymal Dutta, DUJ president Sohel Haider Chowdhury, Azizul Islam Bhuyian, President of Dhaka Reporters' Unity Syed Shukkur Ali Shuva, Nazrul Islam Mithu, Abdul Majid and Rafiqul Islam Ratan.

In his address, Iqbal sobhan Chowdhury thanked the Prime Minister for her timely decision to deploy army all over the country to protect the lives and properties of the people. He urged the government to take stern action against the miscreants and perpetrators of the heinous attacks.

Expressing deep sympathy to the family members of the people who were killed during the mayhem, Abul Kalam Azad said the attacks were carried out by the forces who couldn't accept the independent Bangladesh achieved through the great war of liberation led by Greatest Bangalee of All Times Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul urged the judicial commission to include the issue of killing and assault of journalists during the quota movement and countrywide vandalism.

BFUJ President Omar Faruque said the attacks were the part of a pre-planned conspiracy.

"We were astonished to hear that the quota protestors claimed themselves as Razakars," he said adding this is result of freeing the razakars from jail by general Ziaur Rahman after killing the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.