Journalists yesterday demanded legal action against ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman for his comments onthemurder of journalist couple Sagar-Runi.

They also submitted a memorandum to the Speaker,

demanding trial of all journalist murders, including that of Sagar-Runi.

In the memorandum, leaders of the journalist community demanded formation of a special tribunal for trying the killers of journalists, and repeal the rules and regulations hampering freedom of the media.

Addressing a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital, journalists' leaders demanded immediate arrest of the killer(s) of Sagar-Runi on the basis of information from Mahfuzur Rahman.

TheATN Bangla chief said in London recently, "Sagar and Runi were victims of an extra-marital affair. He also claimed that he had video footage relating to their killing.

Speakers at the protest rally, termed Mahfuzur Rahman's comments dis-

tasteful.

Za E Mamun, head of news at ATN Bangla, said immediate arrest of the killer(s) could stop making of such confusing statements.

Sagar Sarowar, news editor of private TV station Maasranga, and his wife Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered at their rented flat in the capital's West Rajabazar on February 11.

The rally was addressed by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists presi-dents Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Ruh ul Amin Gazi, Secretary General Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, acting secretary general M Abdullah, Dhaka Union of Journalists presidents Abdus Shahid and Omar Faruque,

general secretaries Muhammad Baker Hossain and Shaban Mahmud, Jatiya Press Club President Kamal Uddin, General Secretary Syed Abdal Ahmad and Dhaka Reporters Unity President Shakhawat Hossain and General Secretary Sazzad Alam Khan spoke at the rally.

The leaders of journalists complained to the Speaker that the authorities failed to ensure completion of trial of any journalist murder cases, including that of Humayun Kabir Balu and Manik Saha of Khulna, Shamsur Rahman ofjessore.

In response, the Speaker said, “I cannot discuss the matter on my own. But I can tell the government to take prompt actions if any lawmaker raises the issue."