Trial of �Runner� editor Mukul�s killers urged

Family members and journalists in Jessore have demanded resuming the trial of the killers of RM Saiful Alam Mukul, editor of the Daily Runner.  The demand came from a discussion meeting commemorating the 17th death anniversary of the journalist yesterday. Jessore Press Club, Journalists Union of Jessore and Mukul’s family organised various programmes, including donning black badges, placing wreaths at Mukul’s grave and a milad mahfil to mark the day. Journalist Mukul was killed by some unidentified assailants near his residence at Bezpara in Jessore town on the night of August 30, 1998. On October 26, 2006, a trial court began hearing a murder case filed against 25 accused persons, including Farazi Azmal Hossain, then senior correspondent of the daily Ittefaq in Jessore, and former BNP standing committee member Tariqul Islam. However, the High Court stayed the proceedings of the case pending with the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Jessore. A HC division bench, headed by Justice MA Rashid, gave the stay order in response to a revision petition filed by Farazi. It also asked the government to explain as to why the case should not be quashed. Farazi, who relocated to Dhaka, is now on bail. Addressing the meeting yesterday, Mukul’s widow, Hafiza Akhter Shirin, said in 2010 police arrested two fake suspects in connection with his murder. She demanded proper justice for the killings of her husband, her father-in-law and son.

Trial of �Runner� editor Mukul�s killers urged

Family members and journalists in Jessore have demanded resuming the trial of the killers of RM Saiful Alam Mukul, editor of the Daily Runner. The demand came from a discussion meeting commemorating the 17th death anniversary of the journalist yesterday. Jessore Press Club, Journalists Union of Jessore and Mukuls family organised various programmes, including donning black badges, placing wreaths at Mukuls grave and a milad mahfil to mark the day. Journalist Mukul was killed by some unidentified assailants near his residence at Bezpara in Jessore town on the night of August 30, 1998. On October 26, 2006, a trial court began hearing a murder case filed against 25 accused persons, including Farazi Azmal Hossain, then senior correspondent of the daily Ittefaq in Jessore, and former BNP standing committee member Tariqul Islam. However, the High Court stayed the proceedings of the case pending with the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Jessore. A HC division bench, headed by Justice MA Rashid, gave the stay order in response to a revision petition filed by Farazi. It also asked the government to explain as to why the case should not be quashed. Farazi, who relocated to Dhaka, is now on bail. Addressing the meeting yesterday, Mukuls widow, Hafiza Akhter Shirin, said in 2010 police arrested two fake suspects in connection with his murder. She demanded proper justice for the killings of her husband, her father-in-law and son.