Mirza, Badal hold separate programmes protesting journo killing

Abdul Quader Mirza, mayor of Basurhat municipality in Noakhali's Companiganj upazila, held a rally and a milad mahfil to protest the killing of journalist Burhan Uddin Muzakkir, changing the time of programme due to imposing of Section 144.

On the other hand, former upazila chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal also went outside the municipality to avoid Sectionm 144 and held a protest and mourning meeting.

Earlier, the upazila administration issued section 144 in Basurhat municipal area from 6am to 6pm on Monday in the interest of public safety centring counter programmes Mirza and Badal. 

It is learnt that supporters of Mirza started gathering at the previously announced place soon after the end of Section 144 at 6pm. Mirza had tried to go to the meeting place several times before but the administration stopped him. 

Later, at 6:30pm, Quader Mirza and his supporters held a milad mahfil at Basurhat Rupali Chattar.

Earlier in the day, Mirza stayed at the party office of Upazila Awami League near Rupali Chattar with some leaders and activists. He called a press conference at the party office at 3pm, but police and Rab stopped it.

At the mourning meeting, Mirza said that young journalist Muzakkir was killed in an armed attack by the terrorist Badal forces (Mizanur Rahman Badal) on the orders of Ekramul Karim Chowdhury MP. 

He expressed frustration that no one has been arrested yet in connection with the murder. 

"They say that I was involved in the murder of journalist Muzakkir, then how 60-70 of my leaders and activists were shot and injured? None of them were injured. Attempts are being made to frame me in this murder. Action should be taken against me if the intelligence investigation proves my involvement in the murder," Mirza added.

On the other hand, former Upazila Chairman Mizanur Rahman Badal held a protest and mourning meeting at Tek Bazar near Badal Municipality on Monday afternoon amidst tensions and panic. 

The meeting demanded the expulsion of Quader Mirza from the party and arrest of those involved in the murder of journalist Muzakkir.

At the meeting, Badal said, "Mirza could never provide security to the people. He is still telling heinous lies in the name of truth. Last Friday, his forces, led by Quader Mirza, stormed my house and shot dead my activist journalist Muzakkir. Juba League activist Mintu was killed to control the yaba business of Quader Mirza's son Tashiq Mirza."

Earlier on Sunday night, the upazila administration issued Section 144 in Basurhat municipal area from 6am to 6pm on Monday, fearing intoward incidents due to the announcement of counter programmes by the two factions of the ruling party at the same place and time.

Numerous cocktail explosions during Sunday night spread panic in the minds of the people. Most of the shops were closed on Monday due to an undeclared strike.