Staff Reporter :
The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) has called on the government to provide financial support to the families of journalists who were killed during the recent unrest related to the quota reform agitation.
The organisation has also urged for compensation for those journalists who sustained injuries during the disturbances.
The demand was made during a meeting of the DUJ executive committee, which took place at its office in the National Press Club on Wednesday.
The meeting was presided over by DUJ President Sohel Haider Chowdhury and attended by General Secretary Akhter Hossain, Senior Vice-President Nazrul Islam Mithu, Vice-President Ibrahim Khalil Khokon, Joint Secretary Md. Shahjahan Miah, Treasurer Soheli Chowdhury, Organising Secretary Golam Muztaba Dhrubo, and Law Affairs Secretary Asadur Rahman.
During the meeting, the DUJ leaders observed a minute’s silence to honour the journalists and others who lost their lives during the unrest. They also decided to compile and publish a list of the deceased and injured journalists.
The DUJ has emphasised the need for arrangements to ensure the livelihood of the victims’ families and called for effective measures to protect journalists while they are performing their duties.
“The government must take swift action to support the families of the deceased journalists and those injured,” stated Sohel Haider Chowdhury. “We also urge the authorities to implement effective safeguards to ensure the safety of journalists in future incidents.”