Journalist murder sparks protest
Muladi upazila Press Club President Monir Hossen Rari yesterday died following head injuries caused by his cousin Alauddin Rari, a retired police constable, in front of his house in Muladi Bandar area of the district Tuesday evening.
Slain Monir, 31, local correspondent of regional daily Matobad, was also a ward councillor candidate in the upcoming Muladi municipality election scheduled for January 13, 2011.
Alauddin hit Monir on the head with a spade on Tuesday evening when the victim asked him to stop a construction work that obstructed free movement of local people, said Muladi Police Station Officer in Charge Amiruzzaman.
Alauddin was building a wall on a walkway of villagers. When Monir requested him to stop the work, Alauddin and his family members attacked him, said family members of the victim at Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) morgue yesterday.
Critically injured Monir was rushed to SBMCH from where he was referred to Dhaka on Tuesday night.
On the way to Dhaka, Monir succumbed to his injuries at Aricha ferryghat at about 1:00am yesterday. The body was sent to SBMCH for autopsy.
Monir's elder brother Jasimuddin Khokon lodged a murder case yesterday morning accusing Alauddin, his wife Aleya Begum, sons Motaleb Rari and Sohel Rari and Russell, their associate, said Amiruzzaman Amir, officer in charge of Muladi police station.
All the accused fled the area after the killing, police said.
Demanding arrest of the killers, Barisal journalists held a rally in front of Barisal Press Club and brought out a procession with the body yesterday.
Speakers at the rally said one journalist was killed and 20 others were injured in attacks made by working and retired policemen during last 22 days in Barisal.
Muladi upazila Press Club and local business association have taken a three-day protest and mourning programme in this connection.
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