The leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad and Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman MP, has said the trial of the killing of the journalist ATM Turab is not only the expectation of one family; it is also extremely urgent for establishing justice and ensuring a safe working environment for journalists. If Turab’s killing is not tried, he said, no journalist as brave and truthful as Turab will emerge in future.
He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Sunday morning after visiting the grave of the journalist ATM Turab at Fatehpur in Beanibazar municipal town in Sylhet and offering special prayers for the peace of his soul. Turab was killed by police gunfire while on duty during the July mass movement of 2024.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said: “It is in exchange for the blood of martyred journalists such as Turab that the country is free of fascism today. But it is an extremely painful matter that although two years have passed since he was martyred, the trial proceedings over his killing have still not begun. In the interest of justice this killing should be tried quickly.”
He added: “We will press the demand for the trial of the journalist Turab’s killing even harder. This killing must be tried. We do not know whether the present government will hold this trial. But we believe that on the day of final judgment Turab will certainly receive justice.”
After visiting the grave, Dr Shafiqur Rahman paid a courtesy call on members of Turab’s family. He expressed deep condolences to family members including Turab’s elder brother, Abu Ajraf Md Jabur, asked after them and assured them of his support.
Also present were the central working council member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Amir of Sylhet metropolitan, Muhammad Fakhrul Islam; the central majlis-e-shura member and Sylhet district Amir, Maulana Habibur Rahman; district secretary Zainal Abedin; district leader Maulana Faizul Islam; Beanibazar upazila Amir Mostafa Uddin; naib-e-Amir Abul Khair; municipal Amir Jamir Hossain; naib-e-Amir Syed Abu Kaisar Kajal; secretary Sad Uddin; and upazila assistant secretary Rukun Uddin, among local leaders.
The journalist ATM Turab was then Sylhet bureau chief of the daily Naya Diganta and a staff reporter of the daily Jalalabad. He was killed by police gunfire on 19 July 2024 while on duty in the Court Point area of Sylhet city during the July mass movement.
Before visiting Turab’s grave, Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited the graves of his maternal grandfather, Master Joadur Rahman; the veteran Jamaat worker Muhuri Abdul Khalique; and the writer and researcher Abdul Hakim Tapader. He later prayed for the peace of their souls and met their relatives to express condolences and sympathy.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report