Probe, arrest, try killers of journo Muzakkir

Family members of a journalist who was killed during a clash in Noakhali's Companyganj upazila on February 19 have demanded trial of the killers.

They came up with the demand at a press conference at the district Press Club auditorium yesterday.

"We demand impartial investigation into the incident, immediate arrest of the killers, and their trials," said the victim's elder brother Mawlana Nooruddin.

While reading a written statement, he also said, "Apart from journalism, my brother was involved with different social activities, but was never involved with any political party."

He achieved first class in graduation level and was continuing his post-graduation studies at Noakhali Government College, said Nooruddin.

The victim's parents and other family members were present at the press conference.

The clash on February 19 was between two factions of the ruling Awami League over establishing supremacy in Companiganj upazila.

One group was led by Abdul Quader Mirza, younger brother of AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, while the other was led by Mizanur Rahman Badal, organising secretary of the upazila unit AL.

Both the groups used firearms in the clash and police also fired around 10 to 12 bullets to bring the situation under control.

A day later, journalist Borhan Uddin Muzakkir, 30, of online news portal Barta Bazar, who was hit by bullets while covering the incident, died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

Later on February 23, the victim's father Nurul Huda Master filed a murder case accusing unnamed persons with Companyganj Police Station.

But none could be arrested in connection with the killing till filing the report around 6:00pm yesterday.

Amid such a situation, the case was handed over to Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on Wednesday.

Contacted, PBI Inspector Mustafizur Rahman, who is also investigation officer (IO) of the case, yesterday said, "We have continued investigation and hope to arrest those who were involved with the killing."

The killing sparked outrage among journalist communities across the country. Journalists staged demonstration and held human chain demanding trial of the killers in different areas.

In Rajshahi, journalists yesterday formed a protest rally and human chain demanding exemplary punishment of the killers of the journalist.

Rajshahi Union of Journalists (RUJ) organised the human chain at Saheb Bazar Zero Point in the city around 11:00am that lasted for around one hour.

Our Rajshahi University correspondent contributed to this report