Skip to content Skip to navigation

Concern over Bangla bloggers’ killings

Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern over the continued deadly attacks on atheist bloggers in Bangladesh, where four of them have lost their lives to religious fanatics till date this year and urged the authority to ensure justice for the victim families.

The fourth Bangladeshi blogger named Niladri Chatterjee Niloy alias Niloy Neel (28) fell prey to the religious fanatics on 7 August 2015 at his Dhaka residential flat. The young blogger, who was a member of Ganajagaran Mancha- a social organization, was hacked to death by machete-wielding killers in front of his wife Asha Moni. The tiny south Asian country with a population of over 160 million, which is India’s immediate eastern neighbor, had earlier lost three bloggers namely Avijit Roy, Washiqur Rahman Babu and Ananta Bijoy Das in 2015, whose crime was to ‘question the radical Islamists’ in alternate media space.

Besides many organizations across the globe, the United Nations also condemned the killing of Niloy calling upon the Bangladesh authorities to investigate and ‘bring to justice the killers of all previous slain bloggers’. The UN in an earlier statement expressed apprehensions that there seemed to be growing intolerances towards people peacefully expressing their views on various issues’ around the world.

Lately, the Bangladesh police have arrested two suspects (Saad-al-Nahin and Masud Rana) in connection with Niloy’s killing. Following the complaint and clues from Asha Moni, the police succeeded in nabbing both members of Ansarullah Bangla Team, which was recently banned by the government for various terror activities.

“The Awami League led government in Dhaka should show its sincerity in delivering justice for the victim families of slain bloggers at the earliest,” said a statement issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, adding that Ms Hasina, who is the daughter of Bangabandhu, must establish her credibility as a premier ensuring security to every Bangladeshi national who preaches for democracy and pluralism.

Add new comment

Random Stories

Dimapur incident; 6 held

8 Mar 2015 - 10:29am | AT News
Nagaland police have arrested six youths in connection with the Dimapur incident where a rape accused died in mob attack.Senior police officials told Assam Times that six youths were held after...

BPF wins 4 out of 12

3 May 2021 - 10:43pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
  KOKRAJHAR: The Bodoland People's Front's (BPF) elected member's numbers have been reduced to 4 from 12 in the assembly elections across the four districts of Bodoland Territorial...

Postal stamp on Bhupen Hazarika

17 Jun 2013 - 4:14pm | AT News
Commemorating 100 years of Indian Cinema, the President of India Pranab Mukherjee released a special sheet of postal stamps on May 2, 2013, featuring 50 legends of Bollywood including Dr. Bhupen...

Assam Bandh on Tuesday paralyses normal life

14 Aug 2007 - 9:43am | editor
Guwahati : A 12 hour long statewide Assam bandh disrupted normal life in the state from early in the morning. The Bandh was called by a forum of 12 political parties to protest against the killings...

Other Contents by Author

Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...
In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state. Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...
Guwahati: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has voiced its deep concern regarding the recent surge in verbal assaults on journalists by various individuals. In response, the forum calls upon the State's media community to stand united in the face of adversity. In a released statement, the forum highlighted the disparaging remarks made by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal towards video journalists, where he suggested that they should face physical violence. “While we vehemently denounce Ajmal's stance and urge for appropriate actions against the politician, we implore media professionals to demonstrate unity, integrity, and professionalism in their workplaces,” remarked JFA president Rupam...
The North-East Finale of the WWF-India Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2023 was held on November 3, 2023, at Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This year's challenge was themed "Birds of the World" and was open to students from classes 6 to 9. A total of 80 schools with 160 students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and various districts of Assam participated in the finale. After a closely contested competition, the team from Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School, Assam, represented by Ritvik Anand (class 6) and Garvita Jain (class 8), emerged as the North East Champions. The 2nd position was bagged by the team from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Tezpur, Assam...
Siliguri: Salesian College (Autonomous) Siliguri joined 11 other venues of Kolkata Salesian province in holding Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival, 2nd edition on 13th October 2023. North Bengal’s acclaimed Nepali Film Director, musician and singer Mr. Anmol Gurung inaugurated the festival at Salesian College Siliguri just as Los Angeles Salesians hosted the Global Youth Film Awards in the picturesque foothills of Hollywood. “These films serve as a poignant canvas, capturing the myriad emotions, trials, tribulations, dreams, and aspirations of young people,” says Festival Director in Siliguri Salesian Fr C.M. Paul. Fr Paul adds, “They [films] also show the profound desire of...
In a celebration of literary heritage and a significant milestone, the Assam Publishing Company has released the long-awaited second edition of Anatole France's "Thais" in Assamese. The reissue of this classic comes exactly 59 years after its initial publication, bringing the timeless themes of love, temptation, and redemption to a new generation of readers. Golok Chandra Datta, an esteemed translator hailing from the region, skillfully translated the renowned French author Anatole France's work. This translation marks a crucial milestone in Datta's career as it represents his inaugural published translation effort. The translation aims to convey the depth and beauty of the original...
Guwahati, 23 September 2023: Assam Don Bosco University celebrated its 12th Convocation on Saturday, 23rd September, 2023, at Tapesia Campus Sonapur, Guwahati. The esteemed gathering included the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, who graced the occasion as the university's visitor, along with Vice Chancellor Fr. (Dr) Jose Palley, Pro Vice Chancellor Fr. Joseph Nellnatt, Directors of Schools, Heads of Departments, faculty members, students, and dignitaries from across the country. Addressing the graduating students, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to society, emphasizing the importance of innovation and dedication in shaping a better...
Golaghat: Last Wednesday, an insightful sensitization workshop addressing the detrimental effects of tobacco use was organized at the conference hall of the District & Sessions Judge’s office in Golaghat. The event witnessed the presence of key figures in the fight against tobacco consumption, including Secretary of DLSA Golaghat, Smt. JyotiSmita Sarma, Dr. Sunita Ekka from District Tobacco Control Cell, Golaghat, and Rudhir Prakash Sarma, Divisional Coordinator of Upper Assam Division from The UNION. Officials from the DLSA office and the health department also actively participated. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome address, followed by an insightful discussion on the...
Guwahati: Biodiversity conservation organizations, Aaranyak and WWF-India, have joined forces to tackle the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict (HWC), particularly the pressing concern of human-elephant conflict (HEC), by installing a remarkable 10 km-long low-cost solar fence in the fringes of the Central Range (Kachugaon) of Raimona National Park in Assam. This initiative aims to facilitate coexistence between humans and wildlife, offering immediate relief to the local community. The community-managed single-strand solar fence is expected to alleviate the ever-increasing incidents of HEC for approximately 568 households, which translates to a population of 2700-3000 people...
Guwahati: In an effort to nurture the next generation's understanding of nature and sustainability, WWF-India continues to make significant strides with its Ek Prithvi program. The importance of environmental education for the long-term success of children has never been more evident, and this program has been instrumental in connecting young minds to the environment. Launched in 2016, Ek Prithvi focuses on fostering environmental awareness, knowledge, and the skills required for conservation among students. It has already made a profound impact, reaching out to over 145,200 students across 11 states. When the pandemic struck, Ek Prithvi adapted with the "One Earth One Home" program,...