Killings of Khulna Journalists

Fresh probe to punish real culprits demanded

Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Khulna journalists yesterday demanded reinvestigation into the cases for murder of journalists, including Sheikh Harun-ar-Rashid Khokon, senior crime reporter of Dainik Purbanchal. They raised the demand at separate discussion meetings organised by Khulna Press Club and Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) at the club in observance of the eighth death anniversary Harun-ar-Rashid khokon. The speakers also demanded immediate arrest of the godfathers who planned the killing of JournalistsKhokon, Nahor Ali, Manik Saha, Humayun Kabir Balu and Sheikh Belaluddin. They alleged that the godfathers were left out of the charge sheets submitted to courts by the investigation officers due to political influence. Khulna Press Club held the discussion meeting at VIP lounge with club President Ahmad Ali Khan in the chair while KUJ President Sheikh Abu Hasan chaired their discussion held at the union office at the press club. Khokon was gunned down by extremists at Mujgunni under Khalishpur Police Station on March 2, 2002. Earlier in the day, journalists placed wreaths at the memorial for slain journalists on Kuhulna Press Club premises. They visited Khokan's grave at at Goalkhali under Khalishpur Police Station at 8:00am and offered special prayer seeking salvation of the departed soul. Later, a Qurankhaani and milad were held at his residence at Daulatpur.