KHULNA, Jan 15, 2024 (BSS) - Journalists and other socio-cultural and 
political organisations in the city today observed the 20th death anniversary 
of eminent journalist Manik Saha demanding to unearth the masterminds behind 
his killing and ensure capital punishment.

"We were not satisfied with the verdict of the journalist Manik Saha murder 
case which Khulna Speedy Trial Tribunal announced on November 30, 2016," 
speakers told a commemoration meeting held coinciding with the death 
anniversary of Saha, who was killed in a bomb attack on January 15 in 2004 
near the Khulna Press Club (KPC). 

They also noted with sorrow that at least 25 newsmen including Humayun Kabir 
Balu were killed in the region over the past two decades but most of the 
masterminds and assassins still remained beyond the reach of justice.

Shaha was a senior reporter of the Bangla daily Sangbad. He also worked for 
the New Age, Ekushey TV and BBC radio.

Chaired by President of Khulna Press Club S M Nazrul Islam, the meeting was 
addressed, among others, by Mokbul Hossain Mintu, Faruk Ahmed, Mallick 
Shudhanshu, Rakib Uddin Pannu and Mahbubur Rahman Munna. 

The speakers earlier placed wreaths at a monument built on the KPC premises 
in memory of the slain journalists.

Different organisations including Manik Saha Smrity Parisad, district unit of 
ruling Awami League, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Udichi, Khulna 
Union of Journalists (KUJ), Swadhinata Sangbadik Forum, Ratan Sen Public 
Library also paid rich tributes to his memory while Chhatra Union of Khulna 
unit staged a candlelight vigil at the memorial.

Immediately after the murder police filed two cases-- one under Explosives 
Act, accusing "anonymous killers" for the assassination and after 
investigations submitted the charge sheet in the court of Chief Metropolitan 
Magistrate naming 13 suspects on December 12, 2008.

On November 30, 2016, Khulna Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal sentenced nine 
outlaws of banned Biplobi (Janajuddha) and Purba Banglar Communist Party to 
life-term imprisonment and acquitted two outlaws of Manik Saha killing case.