RU correspondent: Journalists of Rajshahi and Rajshahi University on Saturday formed a human chain on the campus demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved in the attack on ATN News Reporter and camera person while performing their professional duties in Rajshahi.

The human chain was held in front of the central library of the university at 11.30 am.

Tanzimul Haque, General Secretary of Rajshahi Journalist Union, said, “When journalist Bulbul Habib was attacked, it was being broadcast live on ATN News. So I don’t think there is any need to investigate who are involved in this incident. Evidence of the incident has to the media workers, law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies and administration officials. The people of the country have a real perception of the Barendra Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Because we had presented the real secenario of BMDA on media in the past.”

“If the accused are not quickly arrested and brought under the law, then we will be forced to organize a bigger program. We are demanding the removal of Abdur Rashid, executive director of BMDA”, he added.

Rafiqul Islam, President of Rajshahi Journalist Union, said, “BMDA authorities have wanted to discuss with us, we will discuss. But we will not do any compromise in the discussion. We are demanding appropriate punishment for those who are accused in the attack on our colleagues and we will end our agitation programme fulfilling our demands.”

Among others Associate Professor of RU Folklore department Amirul Islam Kanak, Associate Professor of RU History department Golam Sarwar, Rajshahi Bureau Chief of Daily Prothom Alo Abul Kalam Azad, Rajshahi Staff Correspondent of The Daily Star Anwar Ali Himu, Rajshahi Bureau Chief of DBC News Sourab Habib along with the leaders of the three journalist organizations of RU spoke in the human chain.

Earlier, Rajshahi district correspondent Bulbul Habib and cameraman Rubel Islam of ATN News were attacked on the morning of September 5 by the Barendra Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) employees.

The injured were treated at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. Later, the BMDA authorities temporarily suspended two employees in this incident. The aggrieved journalist filed a case against seven people including Abdur Rashid, executive director of BMDA, on last Monday night.