More protests against police excess in Ctg

Human chains formed by Shahjalaj University Photo Journalists Association in Sylhet (left) and by different organisations in Chittagong yesterday protesting Sunday's police action on journalists. PHOTO: STAR

Journalists across the country yesterday staged more against Sunday's police attack on media men in Chittagong.

Joined by civil society members, professionals and political leaders and activists, they brought out processions, held rallies and formed human chains demanding punishment to persons responsible for the incident and end to such repression.

Our RU Correspondent reports: Rajshahi Union of Journalist, Rajshahi Press Club, Metropolitan Press Club, Rajshahi Photo Journalists Association and civil society members jointly brought out a procession in the city and held a rally at Shaheeb Bazar zero point protesting the police action.

The processionists paraded the main roads chanting slogans against the government.

It was announced at the rally that journalists in Rajshahi city will stage a one-hour token hunger strike from 11:00am today in front of Rajshahi Press Club protesting the attack.

Speakers at the rally condemned the attack and demanded withdrawal of Deputy Police Commissioner (DC) Ali Akbar from Chittagong and punishment to policemen responsible for the incident. Protests will continue till he is punished, they vowed.

Those who beat journalists are working as 'cadres' of ruling parties to save the government, they said.

Speaking at the rally, Rajshhai Editors Forum Convener Liyakat Ali threatened to launch tougher agitation if the culprits are not brought to book.

He demanded termination of the Ali Akbar, police sergeant Anwar and others responsible for the 'savage' attack and their arrest within 24 hours and compensation to victims.

Our staff Correspondent reports from Sylhet: Journalists brought out a procession, held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar and formed a human chain in front of Shahjalal University demanding punishment to the policemen who attacked the on-duty journalists during professional work in Chittagong. The human chain was also joined by teachers.

Speakers at the rally included Sylhet city BNP president Ariful Haq Chowdhury, who expressed his solidarity with journalists' agitation against the alleged government move to gag the media.

A Correspondent reports from Narsingdi:

Members of Narsingdi Press Club held a rally in front of the local press club and formed a human chain at Shah Pratap Square and paraded the streets of the town protesting the police action.

Civil society members, political leaders and activists and professional joined the programmes.