An initiative for reinvestigation of the noted journalist and freedom fighter, Manik Saha’s murder case will be taken for identifying the killers and their patrons, information minister Hasanul Haque Inu has said. He also announced that after the probe a white paper on all journalist murder cases would be published.  The minister was attending a discussion at the Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday (Friday). It was organised by the journalist fraternity on the occasion of the 12th death anniversary of Manik Saha. Manik Saha, a New Age correspondent and also a reporter of BBC Bangla based in Khulna, died in a bomb attack near the Khulna Press Club at Chhotto Mirzapur in Khulna city on January 15, 2004. Hasanul Haque Inu said the present government is opposed to killings, communalism and extremism. “I agree with the demand for reinvestigation of the murder case of the dauntless Manik Saha. I will follow all legal procedures for reinvestigation of the case. Journalists will feel insecure if killers of journalists are not punished,” he said.
He assured those present that he would take the initiative for publishing a white paper on the murder cases of  journalists, including Humayun Kabir Balu, Harunur Rashid Khukon, Sheikh Belal Ahmed and Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi.
The BNP, then in power, decided to unleash terror with such killings. The perpetrators went unpunished as they were part of the state, said the minister. Noted writer Syed Abul Maksud, who proposed publication of a white paper, said: “Two forces killed Manik Saha. The first was the state itself as it could not achieve good governance. The second force is still unknown, for which we are demanding a proper investigation after 12 years.” He said as the administration failed to bring the killers to justice, journalists themselves should conduct investigations into the killing.
Rahul Raha, output editor of Channel 24, said: “Manik Saha cherished true journalism in his heart, fought for people’s rights, opposed all injustice, wrote about inequality and sufferings and never gave up his ideals. By killing him, the murderers wanted to shut the mouth that spoke the truth.”
The speakers said that without punishing the criminals who killed the journalist, putting an end to extremism will not be possible. Manik Saha was posthumously awarded Ekushey Padak in 2009. He was president of the Khulna chapter of Amnesty International and also president of the Khulna Press Club.
 Staff Reporter from Khulna adds: The local journalists of different national and local print and electronic media of Khulna city yesterday demanded arrest of the 'real' culprits and masterminds behind the murder of renowned journalist Manik Chandra Saha. The demand was placed at a discussion held on Khulna Press Club premises in the city. Khulna Press Club arranged organised the meeting marking the 12th death anniversary of slain journalist Manik Saha. The programme chaired by the club convener Sheikh Abu Hasan. Lawmaker of Khulna sadar constituency Mizanur Rahman Mizan addressed the function as chief guest. They earlier placed wreaths at a monument built on the KPC premises in memory of the slain journalists.