The Editors’ Council has strongly condemned the brutal murder of journalist Lutfuzzaman Fakir Alif, calling it an attack on press freedom, freedom of expression and the public’s right to know.
The council expressed deep shock and outrage over the killing, describing it not merely as the loss of an individual life but also as a grave assault on democracy.
“Ensuring journalists’ safety is one of the state’s foremost responsibilities. Acts of brutality such as attacks on and killings of journalists are absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances,” the Editors’ Council said in a statement signed by its President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif Mahmud.
The also expressed deep sympathy for Fakir’s bereaved family and solidarity with his colleagues.
It demanded a fair, impartial, transparent and speedy investigation into the murder, calling for the immediate arrest of everyone directly or indirectly involved and exemplary punishment for those responsible.
The council said investigators must examine whether the killing was linked to any political or personal dispute, a conflict related to journalism, or any previous incident of enmity.
It stressed that the investigation must proceed with due seriousness, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the murder. The political identity, social standing or influence of the accused must not shield anyone from the law, it said.
If any influential person is found to be involved in the killing, that person must also be brought to justice, the council said, warning that failure to ensure accountability would seriously undermine public confidence in journalists’ safety and the rule of law.
The council called on the government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate and effective measures to ensure journalists’ security.
Journalists must not be intimidated, attacked or killed to prevent the truth from coming to light, it said, urging democratic forces, civil society and all concerned groups to unite in support of journalists’ safety and independent journalism.
The council said justice for Lutfuzzaman Fakir must be ensured and those responsible must receive exemplary punishment. It also called for an end to the culture of impunity surrounding the murder of journalists, stressing that no attempt to obstruct the right to reveal the truth could be tolerated.
Journalist Lutfuzzaman Fakir Alif was shot dead by unidentified assailants at around 8:15pm on Thursday while sitting at a roadside tea stall in the Telanjia area of Durgapur upazila.
Following the incident, his wife Anindita Sangma filed a murder case with Durgapur Police Station on Friday night, accusing seven to eight unidentified individuals.
