Murder of journalist Shimul:
Md. Abdul Quddus,
Shahjadpur (Sirajganj) Correspondent:
Media workers have observed various programs in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj on the 8th anniversary of the murder of Abdul Hakim Shimul, a widely discussed, criticized and sensational Samakal journalist across the country and abroad. On this occasion, on the morning of February 3 (Monday), the traditional Shahjadpur Press Club organized black flag hoisting, wearing black badges, garlanding Shimul's portrait, protest meeting and prayer mahfil.
This morning, the general secretary of the Press Club, Md. Al Amin Hossain, former president Bimal Kundu, journalists Abul Kashem, Zahurul Islam, Zakaria Mahmud, Mirza Humayun, and others spoke at a protest meeting at the Shahjadpur Press Club premises under the chairmanship of Press Club President MA Zafar Liton and moderated by Senior Vice President Russell Sarkar, with the slogan 'The trial of Shimul's murder must be completed quickly; the murderers must be given the maximum punishment.'
The speakers said that even though it has been 8 years since the murder of journalist Abdul Hakim Shimul, the trial in the case has not yet begun. On February 2, 2017, during a clash between supporters of the then mayor of Shahjadpur Municipality and Awami League leader Halimul Haque Miru and supporters of Chhatra League leader Bijoy Mahmud, Shimul, a representative of Samakal Shahjadpur, was shot while performing his professional duties. He died in the hospital the next day. The police have filed a charge sheet against 38 people in the court, making Mayor Halimul Haque Miru the main accused in the murder, but the trial has not started yet!
Journalist Shimul's wife Nurunnahar, son Al Noman Najjashi Sadiq, daughter Tamanna-e-Fatima, maternal uncle Haji Abdul Majid Mondal, and cousin Azad Mondal said, "We are always afraid as all the accused in the Shimul murder case are out on bail. Even after a long time, we cannot console ourselves as the trial of these murderers has not started! We want to see the murderers punished quickly."
Shahjadpur Press Club General Secretary Md. Al Amin Hossain and former president Bimal Kumar Kundu said, Shimul was shot dead in public. However, due to various tricks of the accused, the trial has not started even after eight years. On January 22, 2018, the case was sent from the Shahjadpur Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court to the Sirajganj District and Sessions Judge's Court and later to the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal. The accused sought time on various pretexts and created obstacles in the framing of charges. On December 24, 2018, the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification declaring the Shimul murder case a sensational case. On July 4, 2019, the case was sent to the Rajshahi Speedy Trial Tribunal. After this, the accused filed a writ petition in the High Court and stayed it. In view of this, when the wife of the deceased Shimul, Nurunnahar, filed a leave to appeal in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, the full bench of the Appellate Division ordered the settlement of the case within 6 weeks on December 3, 2019. Even though 5 years have passed since then, the trial has not started yet. As a result, the Shimul murder case is still pending, which is very painful!
Meanwhile, Shimul's relatives and local media workers have sought the attention and prompt intervention of all concerned, including the current government's chief advisor, to quickly conclude the trial of the sensational Samakal journalist Shimul's murder case and ensure the maximum punishment for the murderers.
Later, a prayer meeting was held at the Press Club office to pray for the eternal peace of the late journalist Shimul. Among others, Press Club Vice President Md. Shamsur Rahman Shishir, Joint General Secretary Aminul Islam, journalists working in various print and electronic media in Shahjadpur and relatives of the late Shimul were present at the program.
