Murder attempt against journalist in Khulna does not auger well for New Year

Reporters Without Borders is extremely concerned at a 4 January murder attempt against a journalist who escaped when a homemade bomb thrown at him fortunately failed to explode. Dip Azad, respected correspondent in Khulna (south-west) for the national daily Jugantor, was walking in the street in the evening when two assailants on a motorbike threw the explosive device at him. It struck him in the back but did not go off. Police tried to arrest the two but they managed to escape. Three journalists were murdered during 2004 in this region, which is plagued by illegal armed groups. The worldwide press freedom organisation said this latest incident showed that armed groups and criminal gangs were still able to attack the press with complete impunity. Local authority promises to improve the security situation have clearly been in vain. Azad said he had received death threats from the armed group Janajuddha. His name appeared on a death list put out by the group after the murder of journalist Manik Saha in 2003. The Khulna Press Club is planning a series of demonstrations to demand the arrest of those responsible.