KHULNA, Sept 7, 2024(BSS)- Speakers at a rally here today demanded cancellation of punishment of Mahmudur Rahman, former editor of the Daily Amar Desh and remove barrier on publication of the daily.

They also demanded compensation for the looted wealth of the newspaper and payment of the arrear salaries and dues of the journalists, staffs and employees of the daily who lost their jobs.

The rally was organized by Amar Desh Paribar on the Khulna Press Club premises with its former Khulna bureau chief and assistant general of Bangladesh Federal Journalists Union (BFUJ) Ehteshamul Haque Shaon in the chair.

Speakers said, the previous fascist Awami League (AL) government forcibly closed the Daily Amardesh and compelled to send its editor Mahmudur Rahman abroad for his courageous role against the then ruling AL.

Police charged press sheet against Mahmudur Rahman and sealed off the newspaper office, seizing printing machine, newspaper and publication materials worth about Taka 31 crore, they said.

Speakers also demanded withdrawal of the restriction on transmission of all closed media including Islamic TV, Diganta TV without delay.

Convener of Bangladesh Peshajibi Parishad of Khulna unit Professor Mohammad Mazharul Hannan addressed the rally as the chief guest while BNP leaders advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona and Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, Jamaat-e-Islami leader advocate Sheikh Zahangir Hossain Helal, president of Metropolitan Union of Journalists(MUJ) Anisuzzaman, ex-general secretary of Khulna Press Club Sheikh Didarul Alam and member secretary of Khulna unit Peshajibi Parishad Prof Dr Sheikh Md Aktaruzzaman, addressed the rally, among others.

Later, a procession was brought out in the city.