DHAKA, Sept 19, 2024 (BSS) – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu today urged the government to complete the initial stage of the trial process in journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder case.

“Journalist couple Sagar-Runi were brutally killed. Many think that pro-(Awami League) government individuals were involved with the killing. So, investigation was conducted for a long but no charge-sheet was submitted (before the court),” he said.

The BNP leader was addressing as the chief guest a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club here.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) jointly organized the rally with the demand of scrapping all black laws opposing press freedom, justice in murders of all journalists including Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi and formulation of journalists protection act.

Dudu said it is time for the interim government to complete the trial of the case so that they don’t have to shoulder its responsibilities.

“They (the government) have said they would do it. We believe their words. But it has to be completed in due time,” he said.

DUJ President Shahidul Islam presided over the rally while BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Habibur Rahman Habib, BFUJ Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, Jatiya Press Club President and Dainik Kaler Kantho Editor Poet Hasan Hafiz, DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam, Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) former President Mursalin Nomani, BFUJ Treasurer Shahidul Islam, BFUJ Assistant Secretary General Basir Jamal, BFUJ Office Secretary Md Abu Bakar, BFUJ Executive Member Shahin Hasnat, DUJ Vice-President Rashedul Haque, Treasurer Khandker Alamgir Hossain, Organizing Secretary Sayeed Khan, DUJ’s BSS Unit Chief Md Fazlul Huq were present, among others.

BFUJ Publicity Secretary Shajahan Saju conducted the programme.

Terming journalists as conscience of a nation, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said if the journalists don’t get freedom and black law are not scrapped, it will be very difficult for them to present the true picture of the country.

He also underscored the need for continuing the democratic movement until people’s government is established in the country.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Habibur Rahman Habib said there are still many black laws in the country which have to be scrapped. Acceptable laws should be framed, he added.

Kader Gani Chowdhury demanded speedy trial of killings of all journalists and formulation of journalists’ protection act to facilitate the journalists to practice journalism freely.

He also demanded trial of those journalists who supported the heinous acts of autocrat Hasina.

Poet Hasan Hafiz said absolute press freedom is yet to be ensured. He also demanded indentifying real killers of Sagar-Runi to ensure their exemplary punishment.

He urged all patriot citizens of the country to extend cooperation to the interim government in making reforms and smoothening the path of holding a free, fair, acceptable and transparent elections to hand over the power to political party.
Shahidul Islam said fascist government has been toppled by the supreme sacrifice of students-people in the last July revolution following long movement and struggle.
He urged the advisory council to hold trial of the killings of all 65 journalists including Sagar-Runi.

He also demanded resuming operation of all closed media.

After the rally, a procession was brought out from there which paraded different city streets.