Journalists demand swift justice for Tuhin murder
They condemned the silence of senior journalist organisations and the government, criticising the absence of official statements even 24 hours after the killing.
The brutal killing of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin of Dainik Protidiner Kagoj in Gazipur and the growing incidents of assaults on journalists across Bangladesh have sparked widespread outrage.
The Multimedia Reporters Association organised a human chain in front of the National Press Club today (8 August), demanding justice for the murder and stronger protection laws for journalists.
Speakers at the event condemned the silence of senior journalist organisations and the government, criticising the absence of official statements even 24 hours after the killing.
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Reporter Hasan Mahmud said, "We are standing here today to demand justice for our brother's killing. It has been almost 24 hours, yet no senior organisation has issued even a statement.
"If we want to build a better Bangladesh, we must ensure justice for the murder of journalists."
Fakhrul, a reporter for Jugantor, accused the information adviser of inaction, saying, "Since yesterday, the adviser has been sitting in an air-conditioned room, watching the situation. Neither his ministry nor the government has issued a statement. Other journalist bodies have also remained silent."
Janakantha Deputy Chief Reporter Israfil Forazi, described the attack as "no ordinary incident," noting, "Our home affairs adviser often talks about combing operations, but somehow this incident in Gazipur doesn't catch his attention.
"Journalist unions have also failed to take to the streets or even issue statements."
Other journalists, including Janakantha Planning Adviser Joynal Abedin Shishir, Rayhan from Kaler Kantho, Shanto Khan from Bhorer Pata, Azgar from ATN Bangla, and Prince Nahid from NTV, also spoke at the human chain.
Rapid Response Team condemns killing of journalist Tuhin
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the brutal killing of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin.
"This was not a random attack. It was a deliberate assault on press freedom, aimed at intimidating and silencing those who bear witness to crime, corruption, and human rights abuses," it said in a statement today
The RRT called upon the government to take immediate and decisive action to ensure justice for Asaduzzaman Tuhin.
"We demand safety for all journalists in Bangladesh. Without accountability, there can be no press freedom; without press freedom, there can be no democracy," it added.
5 detained so far
Tuhin was killed last night at a tea stall near his office, located inside the Masjid Market in Chandna Chowrasta.
According to police and witnesses, the incident stemmed from an earlier altercation where a group of assailants attacked a man named Badsha Mia with sharp weapons after a confrontation involving a woman.
Tuhin, who witnessed the scene, began recording the attack on his phone. Noticing this, the assailants chased Tuhin, dragged him out of a nearby tea shop, and brutally murdered him by hacking and slitting his throat before fleeing.
Meanwhile, police have detained five people in connection with the brutal killing.
