A discussion meeting was held on the occasion of the 29th death anniversary of Dainik Patradut Editor-in-Chief freedom fighter Shaheed S. M. Alauddin. Organized by Satkhira Press Club on Friday  morning.

 A minute's silence was observed at the beginning of the discussion meeting in memory of S.M. Alauddin and all the journalists who died in the country and abroad. 

The speakers at the discussion meeting paid tribute to the journalists who died at different times and demanded the immediate release of the journalists who have been unjustly arrested. At the same time, the speakers strongly condemned and protested the arrest of the journalists.

Speakers at the discussion said that S. M. Alauddin was the first journalist to be murdered in the southwestern part of the country. On June 19, 1996, he was shot dead with a rifle in his newspaper office by a notorious gang of Satkhira. The murderous gang did not stop after S. M. Alauddin was murdered. His family is being threatened and tortured. The attacks have been planned. His family is being harassed with one false case after another.
The speakers also said that after the murder of S. M. Alauddin, Shamsur Rahman Kebal of Jessore, Humayun Kabir Balu of Khulna, Manik Saha, Rashid Khokon, Belal Hossain, Nahar Ali, Chanchal Singha of Satkhira and many others were killed one after another. The speakers said that due to the disunity of journalists, not even one journalist's murder was prosecuted.

The speakers also said that countless journalists have been and are still being tortured. Stating that journalists are being tortured with false disappearance cases, the speakers said that the freedom of the media is being violated today.

 However, the sacrifice and role of journalists in any democratic movement of the country is unique. The speakers protested and condemned the torture of journalists and called on everyone to unite.

Recalling the contribution of Dainik Patradut Editor Bir Muktijoddha S. M. Alauddin, the speakers said that he was a multifaceted talent. His creative humanistic thoughts, consciousness and actions have enriched the people of Satkhira and the southwestern region. He established Bhomra Land Port and Satkhira Chamber of Commerce to expand trade and commerce. He formed a truck workers' union for the benefit of workers. He established a vocational school on his own land to develop modern work-oriented and technical education. S. M. Alauddin founded the "Dainik Patradoot" newspaper to present the voice of the masses to the nation. He was an accomplished industrialist. He contributed to balanced development by changing the economic picture of Satkhira and the entire southern region. He revolutionized the development of the economy. His assassination halted the development and progress of Satkhira. His principles, ideals, thoughtful thoughts and actions will remain immortal from generation to generation, from era to era. The speakers demanded justice for all journalist murders and called for an end to journalist torture.

President of Satkhira Press Club, Satkhira correspondent of Bangladesh Betar, Independent TV and Ajker Patrika Abul Kashem presided over the event.

 Prothom Alo staff reporter Kalyan Banerjee, former president of Satkhira Press Club, Satkhira correspondent of Channel I, Abul Kalam Azad, Sheikh Farid Ahmed Moyna of Daily Ameer Economist, Satkhira correspondent of R TV, Ramakrishna Chakraborty, freedom fighter Kalidas Roy of Daily Janata, M Eiduzzaman Idris of Daily Kafla, Raghunath Khan of Deepto TV, Varun Banerjee of Channel 71 TV, News Editor of Daily Patradoot SM Shahidul Islam, President of Satkhira Journalists Association Dr. Mahider Rahman, Abdus Samad of Bangladesh Khabor and Bangladesh News, M Belal Hussain of Channel DBC, journalists Abdul Momin, GM Aminul Haque, Habibul Hasan, President of District Gono Forum Ali Nur Khan Babul spoke. 

Ahsanur Rahman Rajib of Ekhon TV, Shahidul Islam of Daily Janmabhoomi, Asaduzzaman Sardar of Bangla Tribune, journalists Taufiquzzaman Litu, Idris Ali, Abdur Rahman, Selim Hossain, Hasan Gafur, Zakir Hossain, Masud Hasan Moni, Zakir Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Shimul, Shakib Hossain, Hashem Ali and others were present. 

The entire program was conducted by Asaduzzaman Asad, General Secretary of Satkhira Press Club and Satkhira correspondent of BSS and Banglavision.