Will fight until Mahfuz's arrest: journos

Dhaka, Sep 11 (bdnews24.com)—Journalists on Tuesday vowed to continue their agitation until ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman is arrested for his alleged role in the killing of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.

They took the vow at a rally organised in front of the National Press Club to press for his arrest by Sep 25, a deadline they had given to the government on Sep 5 to nab the killers.

It came a day after Rahman's attempt to draw a ban on the journalists' demonstration turned futile at a Dhaka Court.

"The agitation will go on as long as it takes to arrest ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman," said Shaban Mahmud, General Secretary of a faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists.

"Mahfuzur Rahman had tried to curb journalists' right to freedom of speech. If it happens again in future, the government will be appealed to shut down ATN Bangla and ATN News channels forever," he added.

Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar and ATN Bangla Senior Correspondent Runi were killed at their West Rajabazar residence in the city on Feb 11.

The detective police investigated the murder for two months before the High Court tasked the Rapid Action Battalion with the inquiry in April.

Rahman threw himself into controversy after he claimed in London that extra-marital relationship was behind the twin murders and the journalists have been demanding that he be arrested and questioned, eventually leading to a scuffle between journalists appointed by Rahman and the rest.

Later several journalists of ATN Bangla were expelled by different journalist unions.

Barrister Rafique-ul Huq argued for Rahman who sought a ban on the programme where journalists will renew demand arrest of the killers on Sep 16.

Alluding Huq, Shaban Mahmud said, "He had tried to send both the leaders (Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia) to jail during the caretaker government. Later he was the man who fought legally for them in the court."

Journalists' leaders also urged the BNP, Awami League and other progressive parties for boycotting Huq socially. They also called upon their colleagues for making the programme of laying siege to the ATN Bangla office on Sep 16 a success.

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