Top lawyers unnerved by slide in order, calls for united resistance
Mourning rally at Khulna for slain AL leader
Staff Correspondent, Khulna
Leading lawyers and their professional colleagues in Khulna yesterday expressed grave concern at the increasing incidents of murder and called for a greater unity among them to resist violence and lawlessness.A relentless and resolute movement must be launched to establish a civilised society, they stressed. The lawyers were addressing a rally at the KBA auditorium in Khulna to mourn the killing of city Awami League (AL) President Monzurul Imam. Dr Kamal Hossain was the chief guest at the rally and Vice-president of Bangladesh Bar Association Barrister Amir-Ul Islam and President of Supreme Court Bar Association Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud were special guests. President of Khulna District Bar Association Advocate M Mujibar Rahman was in the chair. Dr. Kamal urged the lawyers to take a vow to rise against violence unitedly so that Imam's blood does not go in vain. His killers are enemies of people and there is no reason to feel helpless against wrong-doers, he observed. "We must have to defeat enemies of peace and stability," Dr. Kamal said. Barrister Amir said he was doubtful if justice would be done in the Imam murder case. He mentioned that the dying statement of Advocate Bijon Bihari Mondol (who also was killed in the attack on Imam) was not recorded although he survived for long 36 hours after the incident. He called for unity among the lawyers irrespective of their political views to fight violence. Barrister Amir recalled that during the AL rule, AL-backed lawyers promptly rescued abducted BNP leader Nurul Islam. Rokonuddin said there is no alternative to unity at this stage when murders are going on unabated. He hoped that lawyers of Khulna will lead the united movement to reverse this trend. He called upon the lawyers across the country to come under the banner of Khulna Bar Association to join the movement. "We do not want to politicise the murder of Imam, contrary to what was done many times in the past. We want a fair and neutral probe into his murder," Barrister Rokanuddin said. Earlier in the morning, the three top lawyers along with local colleagues went to the residence of Imam and expressed sympathy for the bereaved family. They also announced a donation of Tk 25,000 for the bereaved family of Bijon Bihari.
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