Justice and Protection Demanded
Online Editors’ Society Condemns Attack on Jugantor Multimedia Chief’s Family
- Armed assailants allegedly attacked journalist Amit Hasan Robin’s family home in Pangsa
- His parents, sister and sister-in-law were reportedly beaten
- The society demands arrests, an impartial probe and exemplary punishment
The Online Editors Society has expressed deep concern and strongly condemned an alleged armed attack on the family home of Amit Hasan Robin, multimedia in-charge of Daily Jugantor and a member of the organisation, in Pangsha, Rajbari. The society has demanded the immediate arrest of those involved, an impartial investigation, exemplary punishment and security for Robin’s family.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday (November 11), the organisation’s President Hasan Sharif and General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Sohel condemned and protested the incident.
The statement said a group of armed assailants attacked Robin’s family home in Golabari village of Pangsha upazila, Rajbari, at around 9pm on November 10. During the attack, his father, Golam Mostafa; mother, Dolly Akter; sister, Oishi Akter; and sister-in-law, Shahana Khatun, were beaten.
The society described an armed attack and violence against the family members of a media professional as reprehensible, condemnable and wholly unacceptable.
The statement said any attack on or intimidation of a journalist’s family members because of the journalist’s professional identity poses a serious threat to independent journalism and media safety.
The organisation’s leaders warned that failure to ensure exemplary punishment for such crimes would further jeopardise the safety of media professionals.
They called for the immediate identification and arrest of those involved and demanded exemplary punishment following an impartial investigation.
The society also urged the authorities to ensure the safety of Robin’s family members and take effective measures to protect media professionals and their families across the country.
The leaders said ensuring the security of journalists and their families is a responsibility of the state. They called on the relevant authorities to take prompt and effective action to ensure justice in the case and protect the family.
The Online Editors Society warned that, otherwise, it would be compelled to announce a broader programme of action in coordination with the journalist community.
//DBTech/DTND/SMP/FOEDT//
