Journalist Alif killing: ASK demands neutral investigation, justice

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has demanded neutral investigation and trial of those involved in the incident of shooting and killing journalist Lutfuzzaman Alif Fakir in Durgapur of Netrokona. At the same time the human rights organisation has called for taking effective measures to prevent the incidents of attack, intimidation and killing on journalists.

ASK informed these demands in a press release on Friday (October 16).

It has been said in the release that according to the news published in the media, Alif Fakir was shot in the Telanjia area of Durgapur on the night of October 15. He was working as the Netrokona correspondent of the private IPTV channel Ruposi Bangla. Earlier he had become a victim of an attack in November 2025. The organisation thinks that not being able to ensure his security even after the previous attack and later the incident of killing him is concerning.

According to ASK, shooting and killing a journalist is not only an attack on his life, but also dangerous for independent journalism, freedom of expression and the right of the people to know. If the violence and killings on journalists are not tried, an environment of fear will be created. Due to this the opportunity to independently collect and publish news on matters related to public interest will shrink and democratic accountability and the rule of law will be damaged.

Mentioning Articles 32 and 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh in the release, it has been said that the right to life and the freedom of expression and the press have been protected in these articles respectively. Besides, there is recognition of the right to life and freedom of expression in Articles 6 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Ensuring the security of journalists and conducting effective investigation and trial of the violence committed on them is the responsibility of the state to protect these rights.

Regarding the investigation and justice of the killing of Alif Fakir, Executive Director of ASK Tahmina Rahman said that there should be no opportunity for negligence, influence or bias in the investigation of such killings. Every person involved in the killing will have to be identified and brought under the law. Justice will have to be ensured through neutral and effective investigation.

Calling on the concerned authorities in the release, ASK has said that the environment will have to be ensured so that the journalists can perform professional responsibilities without threat or apprehension. According to the organisation, protecting independent journalism is not a matter of the interest of any special professional group; it is one of the prerequisites of democracy, human rights and an accountable state system.