People from all walks of life yesterday staged a demonstration in front of Pabna Press Club, demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the culprits who attacked journalist Habibur Rahman Swapan on October 13.

They also blamed police for inaction and not arresting any of the attackers even a week after the incident.

Cross section of people, including local businessmen, social workers, journalists, authors and teachers took part in the two-hour-long programme, organised under the banner of 'Pabna Sachetan Nagarik Somaj,' a citizens' platform, with Pabna Diabetic Association President Baby Islam in the chair.

Freedom fighter Robiul Islam, left leaning party leaders Sultan Ahmed Buro, Jakir Hossain and Rejaul Karim Moni, journalist Akhinur Islam, businessmen Kafi Sarkar and Muktar Hossain and author Sayed Hossain Dara, spoke among others.

Alongside criticising police for inaction, the speakers urged the authorities concerned to shift the investigation to Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) or Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

“The attack on journalist Habibur is a threat to free thinking people in the society. No one, who tries to build a better society, is safe if the attackers and the masterminds behind the attack are not punished,” Baby Islam said.

Unidentified criminals attacked Habibur, staff reporter of Bangla daily Sangbad, in Pathartola area when he was on his way to home on a rickshaw on October 13.

Locals rushed him to Pabna General Hospital, from where he was later shifted to Dhaka as he needed an urgent orthopaedic surgery after the attackers badly fractured his left hand.