Journalists and local residents took to the streets across Netrokona on Thursday to demand swift justice and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators behind the murder of television journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir.
A human chain was formed in front of the Netrokona District Press Club at 11:00 am, organised by the district unit of the Rural Journalist Foundation (RJF). Sujadul Islam, president of the RJF Netrokona unit, presided over the hour-long demonstration, which was moderated by the organization’s general secretary, Ershadul Haq. Prominent figures from the media fraternity addressed the gathering, including veteran journalist Shyamalendu Paul, local correspondent for The Daily Ittefaq, Haidar Jahan Chowdhury, former vice-president of the district press club and a Freedom Fighter, and S M Jahirul Islam, chairman of the RJF.
Speaking at the rally, Haidar Jahan Chowdhury voiced deep concern over the culture of impunity regarding attacks on media personnel in Bangladesh. He pointed to historical precedents where high-profile cases—such as the unresolved murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi—remained without closure for years. Chowdhury emphasised that Bangladesh must break free from this persistent failure to hold attackers accountable. Other speakers echoed his sentiments, asserting that reporters should never face deadly retribution simply for fulfilling their professional duties, and urged law enforcement agencies to identify every individual involved without delay.
Simultaneously, a separate human chain and protest rally took place at Sunai Fakirbari intersection along the Doshdhara-Pogla road in Sunai village, located in Kalmakanda upazila, the hometown of the slain journalist. Organised under the banner of Alif’s family and local villagers, the demonstration saw impassioned pleas for justice from relatives.
Alif’s elder brother, Shahidul Islam Fakir, revealed that his brother regularly reported on cross-border crimes and smuggling operations, which he believed directly triggered the fatal attack. Struggling to hold back tears, he stated that while nothing could ever bring his brother back, the family expected the state to ensure the perpetrators face the ultimate legal consequences.
The fatal attack occurred on the night of 15 October near the Utrail Market area in Telonjia, along the Shyamganj-Birishiri road in Durgapur upazila. Alif was shot dead by unidentified assailants while returning from his assignment. He served as the Netrokona district correspondent for the private television channel Ruposhi Bangla. Alongside his broadcast work, Alif operated a digital platform titled Detective Article on Facebook, where he frequently published investigative reports detailing border smuggling, local corruption, and illicit activities along the frontier region.
Following the killing, Alif’s wife, Anandita Sangma, filed a murder case at Durgapur Police Station against seven to eight unidentified individuals. Local police authorities confirmed that an investigation remains actively underway, with two suspects arrested so far in connection with the crime.
