DRU gives 72-hour ultimatum to detain all culprits

The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Wednesday protested the arson attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star as well as harassment of New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, giving 72 hours' ultimatum to detain all those linked to the incidents.

From a human chain programme in front of the DRU office in the city, journalists and DRU members protested the arson attacks and vandalism, and also demanded withdrawal of a case filed against DRU secretary general Mainul Hasan Sohel and administrative official Solaiman Hossain.

Abu Saleh Akon, president of DRU, demanded that those involved in the attacks be arrested within 72 hours and presented before the media.

He said, "The intention of those who attacked and set fire to Prothom Alo and Daily Star was to burn and kill those who were here-the officials, employees and journalists. The reason for this was that they had a firm determination to divert the issue of the murder of Hadi to a different stream."

Abu Saleh Akon alleged that journalists have been subjected to torture for 17 years but they could not protest due to the culture of fear. But some of them were on the streets protesting journalists' persecution.

"Even then (in the past 17 years), we ignored everything and took to the streets to demand our rights, and we are still standing on the streets today. We will be on the streets if necessary in the future."

"If the people involved in the incident of setting fire to Nayadiganta, Amar Desh or other media outlets had been tried, then the miscreants would not have dared to do so today. Attacks on journalists is a threat to the entire media. Today Prothom Alo and Daily Star, tomorrow some other media -this trend will continue," he added.

DRU General Secretary (GS) Mainul Hasan Sohel moderated the programme, while Vice President Mehedi Azad, Organising Secretary M M Jasim and GS of Dhaka Journalists Union Khurshid Alam spoke among others.

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