Syed Atik, Gazipur: Journalists, human rights activists and representatives of various political and social organisations staged a human chain in Tongi, Gazipur, on Saturday, protesting the alleged assault, abduction, physical torture, extortion attempt and blackmail of journalist Mohin Uddin Ripon, Gazipur district correspondent of the daily Kalbela.

The protesters demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the incident, immediate arrest of all remaining accused, exemplary punishment for those responsible and adequate security for the journalist and his family.

They also warned of launching a nationwide movement if the authorities failed to take effective action within 24 hours.

Organised by the central committee of the Society of National Mass Media Commission, the human chain was held in front of Tongi Government Hospital on October 31. Journalists, human rights activists and leaders of different political, social and professional organisations took part.

The programme was chaired by AKM Azizul Haque, president of the commission`s central committee, while its general secretary, Kalimullah Iqbal, conducted the event.

Among those who addressed the gathering were the organisation`s organising secretary, Sahadat Hossain Kamal Khan; BNP leader BM Shamim; Gazipur Central Club President Abdul Ohab Rinku; Gazipur Media Club President Mahbubur Rahman Jilani; Bangladesh Human Rights Commission General Secretary Md Nazmul Bari Chowdhury; and its Vice-President Abdur Rahman and Organising Secretary Shafiuddin Khan.

Other speakers included Gazipur Reporters Club President Abul Bashar Palash, Journalists Association Welfare Central President Gazi Mamun, Info Television Editor Awlad Hossain, Safe Roads Movement Tongi East Police Station Joint Convener Moktar Hossain and Tongi Reporters Club General Secretary Kamrul Hasan Shaha.

Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that attacks, abductions, torture, extortion demands and threats of character assassination against journalists for performing their professional duties posed a serious threat to press freedom and democratic values.

They observed that journalists play an important role in exposing crime, corruption, drug trafficking and irregularities in society. Anyone aggrieved by a news report has the right to seek legal remedies, but resorting to violence, abduction or intimidation is unacceptable, they added.

Organising Secretary Sahadat Hossain Kamal Khan said attempts to silence journalists and suppress information about wrongdoing would not be tolerated.

He called for an impartial investigation to identify everyone involved in the incident and bring them to justice without delay. He also urged the authorities to ensure the safety of Ripon and his family.

General Secretary Kalimullah Iqbal said journalism was not a crime, but a responsibility to expose wrongdoing, corruption and irregularities in society.

"An attack on a journalist for carrying out that responsibility is not merely an assault on an individual; it is a direct attack on independent journalism," he said.

He added that journalists were not seeking any special privileges but wanted professional security, the rule of law and justice.

Demanding the arrest and exemplary punishment of the actual perpetrators, Iqbal said nobody involved in the alleged crimes should be allowed to remain beyond the reach of the law, regardless of their identity or influence.

Commission President AKM Azizul Haque said ensuring journalists` safety was essential to protecting the public`s right to know and the freedom to publish the truth.

He stressed that the authorities must take visible legal action and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

The speakers further said that although two people had been arrested in connection with the case filed by journalist Mohin Uddin Ripon, the remaining accused were yet to be apprehended.

They called on the law enforcement agencies to take effective steps to arrest all remaining accused within the next 24 hours.

Warning of stronger action in the absence of satisfactory progress, the organisers said they would join hands with journalists and social organisations across the country to launch a broader movement beyond Tongi and Gazipur.

The protesters reiterated that the protection of journalists was not merely a professional concern but a vital condition for safeguarding freedom of expression, accountability and the public interest.