Journalists and civil society representatives in Purbadhala, Netrokona, formed two separate human chains and protest rallies on Sunday (October 18, 2026), protesting the brutal gunshot killing of journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir in Durgapur.
The main program was organized by the Purbadhala Press Club in front of its gate at 11:00 AM, presided over by Press Club President Md. Jayezul Islam and conducted by General Secretary Noman Shahriar. Speakers including former President Shafiqul Alam Shaheen, former General Secretary Golam Mostafa, and local correspondents emphasized that violence against journalists poses a severe threat to press freedom and independent reporting on corruption, terrorism, and crime. Speakers expressed deep frustration that although Alif had previously notified local authorities regarding death threats, his security was not ensured. They urged Deputy Speaker and MP for Durgapur-Kalmakanda, Kaisar Kamal, along with the home ministry, to expedite the arrest of the prime perpetrators and masterminds.
Earlier at 10:00 AM, local journalists under a unified banner formed another human chain in front of the Upazila Parishad gate. Following the demonstration, a memorandum was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs through Purbadhala Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Shafiqul Islam. Journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir, Netrokona district correspondent for the private IP channel Ruposhi Bangla, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Thursday night (October 15, 2026) at a tea stall in the Telunjia area of Durgapur Pourashava.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Sakhawat Hossain Mamun, Purbadhala (Netrokona) • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
