Shahidul Islam Sohel, Sylhet Bureau 

A human chain was formed in Sylhet on Monday, demanding an end to nationwide attacks, torture, and harassment cases against journalists, alongside swift trials for unresolved journalist murders and guaranteed professional safety for media personnel.

The Sylhet Divisional Online Press Club organized the demonstration at 12:00 pm in front of the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar.

Presided over by Sylhet Divisional Online Press Club President Sheikh Lutfur Rahman, the event was jointly moderated by the organization's General Secretary Badrur Rahman Babar and former General Secretary Johurul Islam.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sylhet City BNP President Nasim Hossain condemned the rising incidents of violence against media professionals across the country.

Nationalist Krishak Dal Central Assistant Organizing Secretary and Sylhet City Krishak Dal President, former councilor Humayun Kabir Shahin, addressed the gathering as the chief speaker.

Addressing the rally, speakers expressed deep concern and indignation over the recent assault on two journalists while carrying out their professional duties at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. They urged authorities to form an independent probe committee to identify the culprits and enforce exemplary punishment.

The demonstrators also protested the alleged confinement of Jhenaidah-based journalist Oritro Kunda in a condemned cell under a false case, as well as the harassment case filed against Ehsan Bin Mujahid, an investigative reporter for the daily Khola Kagoj in Sreemangal. Furthermore, they denounced recent controversial remarks and harassment of journalists involving actress Pori Moni.

Speakers called for immediate justice for all slain media workers, highlighting the unresolved murder cases of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, Tajul Islam Turab of Sylhet, Alif of Netrokona, Asaduzzaman Tuhin of Gazipur, and Subarna Nodi of Ananda TV.

The human chain strongly condemned the arrest and imprisonment of the son of Badrur Rahman Babar—General Secretary of the Sylhet Divisional Online Press Club and representative for SA TV and Khabar TV—under a retaliatory case allegedly orchestrated by an illegal hill-cutting syndicate following a published report. The speakers demanded the immediate withdrawal of the false charges.

"Journalists serve the public interest by exposing corruption and irregularities in society. Yet, media professionals are subjected to daily attacks, harassment lawsuits, and violence," the speakers remarked, warning that the culture of impunity has emboldened perpetrators. They declared that suppressing the press through intimidation would fail and called on the journalistic community to remain united.

Distinguished local figures and organizational representatives attended the event in solidarity, including poet and Greater Sylhet Gonedabi Parishad Central Coordinator Dewan Motiur Rahman Khan, Corruption-Free Bangladesh Forum Member Secretary Maksud Hossain, Sylhet Kalyan Sangstha Founder President Ehsanul Haq Taher, and Jagannathpur Press Club Convener Zohirul Islam Lal, among others.

Members from various media outlets and press bodies—including the Daily Morning Observer, Dainik Bangladesh Somachar, Dainik Tritiyo Matra, Daily Sorejomi, and  Sylhet Sadar Upazila Press Club—participated in the demonstration.

The Journalist Torture Prevention Committee Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Environment Research and Development Foundation also extended full solidarity with the event's demands.