journo Balu murder

Fresh probe demanded

The journalists of different national and local print and electronic media of Khulna city on Saturday demanded reinvestigation into murders of journalists, including the murder of renowned journalist Humayun Kabir Balu, a former president of Khulna Press Club.
Balu was awarded Ekushey Padak posthumously in 2009 for his contribution to journalism.
The demand was placed at a discussion meeting held at Khulna Press Club VIP Lounge under Sadar police station in the city.
The meeting was part of programmes chalked out by Khulna Press Club (KPC) to mark the 11th death anniversary of Humayun Kabir Balu, also a liberation war organiser.
Administrator of Khulna Zila Parishad Sheikh Harunur Rashid, also president of Awami League Khulna district unit, addressed the discussion as chief guest. KPC president Mokbul Hossain Mintu presided over the function.
Among others, former club presidents-Ahammad Ali Khan, Vice-presidents Ameo Kanti Paul, M Anisuzzaman, Md Farid Ahmed, former general secretary Md Shahed Ali, executive member Mollik Sudhangsu, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) president Anwarul Islam Kazol, spoke on the occasion.
It is to be noted that Humayun Kabir Balu, the editor of local daily Janmobhumi published from Khulna, also the then incumbent president of Khulna Press Club was brutally killed in broad day-light in a bomb attack by unidentified assailants in front of his office- cum- residence near Shantidham Square under Sadar police station of Khulna city on June 27 in 2004.
The speakers said pressure is being put on by some political leaders on investigation officers of murder cases of journalists-Humayun Kabir Balu, Manik Chandra Saha, Sheikh Belal Uddin, Harun-ur-Rashid Khokon and Nahor Ali.
They alleged that the officers are being pressured to drop the names of masterminds behind these murders from the charge-sheets submitted in court.  They also alleged that many involved in murders of journalists got scot-free as the police failed to identify them.  The journalist leaders demanded arrest of ‘real’ culprits, financer and masterminds behind the murders.
Before the meeting, KPC members, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ), Khulna Working Journalists Unity (KWJU) placed wreaths at the monument built on the premises of the press club in memory of the slain journalists and arranged a doa mehfil at the club.
Different socio-cultural organisations, including Humayun Kabir Balu Smrity Parishad placed wreaths at the grave at Bashupara in the city and offered special prayers seeking salvation of the departed soul.

journo Balu murder

Fresh probe demanded

The journalists of different national and local print and electronic media of Khulna city on Saturday demanded reinvestigation into murders of journalists, including the murder of renowned journalist Humayun Kabir Balu, a former president of Khulna Press Club. Balu was awarded Ekushey Padak posthumously in 2009 for his contribution to journalism. The demand was placed at a discussion meeting held at Khulna Press Club VIP Lounge under Sadar police station in the city. The meeting was part of programmes chalked out by Khulna Press Club (KPC) to mark the 11th death anniversary of Humayun Kabir Balu, also a liberation war organiser. Administrator of Khulna Zila Parishad Sheikh Harunur Rashid, also president of Awami League Khulna district unit, addressed the discussion as chief guest. KPC president Mokbul Hossain Mintu presided over the function. Among others, former club presidents-Ahammad Ali Khan, Vice-presidents Ameo Kanti Paul, M Anisuzzaman, Md Farid Ahmed, former general secretary Md Shahed Ali, executive member Mollik Sudhangsu, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) president Anwarul Islam Kazol, spoke on the occasion. It is to be noted that Humayun Kabir Balu, the editor of local daily Janmobhumi published from Khulna, also the then incumbent president of Khulna Press Club was brutally killed in broad day-light in a bomb attack by unidentified assailants in front of his office- cum- residence near Shantidham Square under Sadar police station of Khulna city on June 27 in 2004. The speakers said pressure is being put on by some political leaders on investigation officers of murder cases of journalists-Humayun Kabir Balu, Manik Chandra Saha, Sheikh Belal Uddin, Harun-ur-Rashid Khokon and Nahor Ali. They alleged that the officers are being pressured to drop the names of masterminds behind these murders from the charge-sheets submitted in court. They also alleged that many involved in murders of journalists got scot-free as the police failed to identify them. The journalist leaders demanded arrest of real culprits, financer and masterminds behind the murders. Before the meeting, KPC members, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ), Khulna Working Journalists Unity (KWJU) placed wreaths at the monument built on the premises of the press club in memory of the slain journalists and arranged a doa mehfil at the club. Different socio-cultural organisations, including Humayun Kabir Balu Smrity Parishad placed wreaths at the grave at Bashupara in the city and offered special prayers seeking salvation of the departed soul.