Editors’ Guild demands punishment to violence perpetrators, promises to stand by PM Hasina

At a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a group of editors and senior journalists on Wednesday demanded that perpetrators of the recent nationwide atrocities must not go unpunished.

They wondered whether there was any failure in the execution of the intelligence report to thwart the mayhem unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat in the guise of the quota reform movement by students.

They put emphasis on strengthening Awami League as a party and evaluation of the activities of the public representatives alongside taking effective measures to attract more meritorious students to Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

The journalists made these observations during a views exchange meeting with PM Hasina at her office (PMO), UNB reports.

The meeting was organised at the initiative of Editors’ Guild where editors, senior journalists and heads of news of different media outlets were present.

They also said they are with Sheikh Hasina for the sake of the country and they are ready to do whatever is required for her.

DBC Editor Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, mentioning arson attack in Mohakhali, said there was no member of law enforcement agencies there after 3:00 pm. “Why no members of law enforcement agencies were there, and why an official left the place with his forces.”

He said there were intelligence report and that was why police installed check posts around the capital city. A high official said that no ant could take entry but elephant entered the city,” he said adding that it should be looked or addressed.

Suggesting a self-analysis of own activities, Pintu said “Why were army or law enforcement agencies needed to protect Awami League office when the party was in power for last 15 years?”

Bhorer Kagoj Editor and Jatiya Press Club general secretary Shyamol Dutta stressed the necessity of strengthening Awami League as a political party because the weakness of the party was seen during this havoc and atrocities of BNP-Jamaat.

He also suggested overseeing the role of public representatives alongside reshuffling the party.

Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam put emphasis on finding out the people who involved with these subversive activities and bring them under punitive measure through legal process.

DBC Editor-in-Chief and CEO Monzurul Islam suggested self-criticism centring the recent incidents and evaluate the activities of public representatives.

Abed Khan said they are with the prime minister and they can do whatever need for her as they have trust and confident on her.

Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin said it’s time to oversee the role of international media over these recent incidents as now they appear as a propaganda machine against Bangladesh.

PM’s Press Secretary Md Nayeemul Islam Khan moderated the programme, while Editors’ Guild president Mozammel Huq Babu delivered the welcome address.