Pirganj (Thakurgaon) Correspondent:

A human chain and protest rally were held in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, to protest the assault on 'Kalbela' correspondent Badal Hossain while performing his professional duties, the public exercise of domestic weapons in the city, and the attempt to disturb the peaceful Pirganj.

The program was organized by the Pirganj Press Club on Thursday morning at the eastern intersection of the city. Local journalists, social and political leaders, and people from all walks of life participated in the two-hour human chain and protest rally from 10 am to 12 noon.

The rally was addressed by Pirganj Press Club President Joynal Abedin Babul, General Secretary Nasrat Khoda Rana, Ranishankoil Press Club President Ashraful Islam, Gana Odhikar Parishad Central Student Union Vice President Mamunur Rashid Mamun, Upazila Communist Party General Secretary Maturza Alam, Journalist Moqaddes Hayat Milon, District Christian Association General Secretary Bishnupada Roy, Journalists Jewel Shanto, Nur Nabi Rana, Mujibur Rahman, Badal Hossain, Sihab, Shakib and Businessman Sultan Alamgir. The program was moderated by Journalist Saidur Rahman Manik.

The speakers said that insulting a journalist while performing his professional duties is not just a personal attack, but a direct attack on the freedom and dignity of the media. Such incidents will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

They said that on October 12, a clash took place between two factions of the BNP using the cover of politics, where domestic weapons were used. This incident created panic in the peaceful atmosphere of the city and spread anxiety among the common people.

The speakers emphasized that the law enforcement agencies must ensure a strict stance so that no one tries to destabilize the stable situation in Pirganj upazila with the rattling of weapons in the future. They further warned that if the criminals are not arrested quickly and given exemplary punishment, the journalist community will announce a program of stricter agitation.