Human chain again in front of National Press Club demanding trial of Sagar murder and safety of victim's family

The human rights organization VARD-BANGLADESH again held a human chain program in front of the National Press Club in protest of the death threats given to the family of the poor day laborer Sagar (33) of the village of Dakshin Vadli of Kalaroa Upazila of Satkhira district, taking the case, arresting those involved, ensuring the safety of the victim's family and demanding justice.
Representatives of various human rights organizations, journalists, leaders of social organizations and conscious citizens participated in the human chain organized by the organization on Tuesday (June 2).
The speakers alleged that on December 9, 2024, Sagar was forcibly removed and brutally tortured. He was later left seriously injured and died on December 11 while undergoing treatment. But almost 18 months have passed since the incident, so far no effective case or judicial progress has been visible.
MSA Reza, executive chairman of Verde-Bangladesh in Manabbandhan, said, "It is very worrying that there is no visible progress in the judicial process even after almost 18 months of the death of a helpless day laborer. What is more sad is that the victim's family is being threatened with intimidation and death for demanding justice. We demand an immediate impartial investigation, taking up the case, arresting those involved and ensuring the safety of the family."
The founding chairman of the organization. Mahabub Alam Abbasi said, "It is a gross violation of human rights that the trial of a brutal incident like the Sagar massacre has been pending for a long time and the families of the victims are suffering from insecurity. It is necessary to ensure speedy trial in order to establish the rule of law."
Secretary General Shahidul Islam said, "The situation in which the family is threatened while seeking justice, is not acceptable in any way. The real culprits should be brought under the law quickly and exemplary punishment should be ensured."
Anwar Hossain Akash, publisher and editor of Dainik Swadhin Sangbad and chairman of Bangladesh Human Rights and Press Society, spoke on the occasion. He said, "If the victim's family does not get justice, even if the matter comes up again and again in the media,But it is very frustrating for the justice system. It is necessary to unearth the true facts and take action against those responsible, keeping the judicial process intact."
Human rights organizer Muslim Uddin Samrat said, “If a citizen's family is forced to live under threat and insecurity because of seeking justice, it is a matter of concern for the state. We demand immediate security of the victim's family and legal action against the perpetrators."
Speakers also said that after Sagar's murder and related allegations were published in various media, Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubodal Central Committee formed a two-member investigation committee and instructed to submit a report within seven days. But even after 22 days of the directive, the investigation report has not been published, so many questions have been created in the public mind.
Speakers present at the human chain alleged that there has been a long-standing complaint against an organized syndicate conducting various criminal activities in Jessore's Sharsha-Benapole border area. They demanded to reveal the real truth through an impartial investigation regarding these allegations.
Masud Hossain, Editor of Dainik Sabuj Bangladesh newspaper, Vice Chairman of Word-Bangladesh Md. Ashiq Mondal, joint editor Sohag Hasan and Md. Riaz, working member. Representatives of various human rights and social organizations including Akash Madabar.
The demand for taking up the case of Sagar murder immediately from the human chain, arresting those involved through an impartial investigation, ensuring the safety of the victim's family and witnesses, taking legal action against the threats, publishing the report of the investigation committee quickly and conducting special operations against the criminal gangs active in the border areas.
Apart from this, the Home Secretary demanded to investigate the matter seriously and take necessary legal measures.The human bond also informed that a written application has been submitted to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the DIG of Khulna range.