Nurul Islam Hasib
bdnews24.com Senior Correspondent

Dhaka, Jun 16 (bdnews24.com) – Journalist leaders in Dhaka are yet to call for any protest programme over the killing of a reporter of Jessore-based Bengali-language daily.

Jamal Uddin of Gramer Kagoj was brutally killed in brought day light at around 11 am, allegedly for writing reports against local drug lords, who had threatened him for his reports. The journalist had filed a general diary with police after the threats.

But unlike other killings and assaults on journalists in Dhaka, this killing did not draw any reaction from different journalist unions in the capital until bdnews24.com contacted them at around 9pm.

Journalists have been on the street since the murder of a journalist couple Sagar Sarowar, News Editor of private TV station Maasranga, and Meherun Runi, a senior reporter of another TV channel ATN Bangla, on Feb 11 at their rented flat.

"We are observing the situation," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, President of the ruling Awami League-backed Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) told bdnws24.com.

"Our local (Jessore) unit is pressing for their demand. If local administration doesn't pay heed to their demand, we will call protest in Dhaka."

Opposition BNP-backed BFUJ President Ruhul Amin Gazi said they would move after tomorrow's (Sunday) newspapers reports.

He also 'condemned' the killing over phone itself.

The Jatiya Press Club also remained silent before getting calls from the bdnews24.com correspondent.

Its President Syed Abdal Ahmad 'condemned' the killing and said, "Journalists are feeling insecure under this government."

He, however, did not say whether they would launch any protest programme.

Dhaka Reporters Unity President Shakhawat Hossain said they would follow the union leaders.

"They have nationwide network. In this case, we express solidarity when they launch any programme."

Witnesses said a group of miscreants armed with sharp weapons attacked Jamal Uddin at the Kashipur Bazar when he was taking tea.

They cut his veins in hands and legs and gouged out his eyes. When locals took him to the hospital, he was already dead.

The reporter was also the Sports Affairs Secretary of the Sharsha Press club.

Sharsha Press Club warned of tougher agitation programmes if the responsible were not apprehended within 48 hours.

The Benapol Press Club expressed its solidarity.

Jessore Journalists Union and Journalists Union of Jessore brought out protest rally in the district.

Police have arrested wife of an accused.

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