Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Citizens from all walks of life and socio-political organizations on Saturday strongly condemned the brutal murder of Sagar Sarowar, a news editor of private TV channel Maasranga Television, and his wife Meherun Runi, a senior reporter of ATN Bangla.
Expressing deep shock and sorrow, they demanded the immediate arrest of and exemplary punishment to the murderers and ensuring the security of the couple's family.
They also prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved families.
The journalist couple were stabbed to death inside their West Rajabazar residence in the capital Dhaka early Saturday.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in their condolences, prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and conveyed their deepest sympathies to the bereaved family members.
The president said the country had lost two devoted journalists of potential.
The prime minister, in a separate message, instructed the authorities concerned to investigate the murder and immediately arrest the culprits.
Condemning the killing, opposition leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the gruesome murder once again proved that the country's law and order situation had deteriorated severely.
She termed the murder a result of the government's misrule and demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and their exemplary punishment.
Law Minister Shafique Ahmed and State Minister Qamrul Islam, in separate statements, gave out assurances that stringent punishment would be ensured for those involved in the brutal murder.
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad said the murderers would be punished through proper investigation.
Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique visited the residence of the deceased and conveyed his sympathy to the family members of the murdered couple.
The nation had lost two devoted newsmen, he said, demanding that the authorities find the culprits and ensure their exemplary punishment.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Industries Minister Dilip Barua and Environment and Forest Minister Hasan Mahmud also expressed profound shock at the deaths.
Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad, JP presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesher Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ), Jatiya Press Club, Commonwealth Journalists Association, Bangladesh, Dhaka Reporters Unity, Diplomatic Correspondents' Association Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh National Awami Party, Independent Television, Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka Sub-Editors Council, Peshajibi Sammannay Parishad, National Democratic Party, Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, Rangpur Division Journalist Association, Progressive Art and Mass Media Workers' Forum, Bangladesh Film Directors Association, Sammilito Sangathan Sammannay Parishad, Crime Reporters Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd, Rajshahi Metropolitan Press Club, Rajshahi Press Club and Rajshahi Union of Journalists also expressed condolence at the deaths.
BBN/SSR/AD-12Feb12-8:00 am (BST)
