The slain journalist's elder brother Ainal Dafadar who is also the complainant of the case alleged this at a press conference held at Satkhira Press Club here yesterday.

The accused are also threatening the victim's family members including the complainant to withdraw the case or 'face the dire consequences,' he said.

He said his brother Bellal came under attack by the accused at Pichhlapole village in Kalaroa upazila while he was returning home from Bakra village at about 8 pm on September 14.

The accused chopped him severely and he died at Khulna hospital the same night, he said.

'I filed a case with Kalaroa Police Station accusing 13 people including Momtaz Sardar, Sarowar Sardar, Abu Taleb and Rafiqul Islam', Ainal said. The accused are BNP and Jamaat leaders and activists. Local ruling party high ups are sheltering them, he alleged.

Accusing police of taking bribe from the accused, he sought intervention of Prime Minister and Home Minister.