Dhaka, Dec 22: Senior political leader Nahid Islam on Friday alleged that the recent violent attacks on leading Bangladeshi media houses, including The Daily Star and Prothom Also, had political backing and involved a section of the government, as authorities struggled to restore calm after one of the worst episodes of unrest targeting journalists in recent years.
Speaking at a joint protest titled “Bangladesh Under the Attack of Mob Violence”, organised by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Nahid, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the violence appeared to have been pre-planned and linked to events following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
“The whole incident was planned,” Nahid said, alleging that a conspiracy had been prepared in advance to manipulate the situation after Hadi’s killing. He claimed slogans associated with the July uprising and Hadi’s name were misused to justify attacks on media organisations and cultural institutions.
Calling for accountability, Nahid urged the government to conduct a fair investigation into both the attacks on journalists and the killing of Hadi. “Those who shot Hadi in broad daylight must also be held accountable,” he said, adding that violence must never be legitimised in the name of any political movement.
His remarks came as Bangladesh witnessed widespread unrest late Thursday night following confirmation of Hadi’s death. Mobs attacked media houses, political offices, cultural institutions and private residences in Dhaka and several other cities, triggering vandalism, arson and road blockades.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka, where the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were vandalised and set on fire. At least 25 journalists were trapped on the rooftop for several hours before being rescued by Fire Service personnel amid heavy smoke and continued attacks on the building.
“I can’t breathe. So much smoke. I’m inside. You are trying to kill me,” senior journalist Zyma Islam wrote in a Facebook post during the ordeal.
Both newspapers later announced the suspension of their print and digital operations, citing safety concerns and the evacuation of staff.
Violence was also reported in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Barisal and Jhalakathi, where protesters targeted political offices, residences and highways. Army and Fire Service personnel were deployed in multiple locations to bring the situation under control.
Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir was verbally abused and physically harassed by a crowd while attempting to calm attackers at the Karwan Bazar site, according to videos circulating online.
By Friday morning, an uneasy calm had returned to Dhaka and other affected cities, though journalists described deep trauma following the night-long violence. “We were lucky — we narrowly escaped a major disaster,” one The Daily Star journalist said.
In a late-night appeal, Inqilab Moncho urged restraint, warning that violence, vandalism and arson were aimed at weakening the state. “As the February elections approach, consider who truly benefits if unrest is created in the country,” the organisation said.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing arrests or charges related to the attacks.
Attacks on Bangladeshi media had political backing, says Nahid Islam; Dhaka returns to uneasy calm
Senior political leader Nahid Islam on Friday alleged that the recent violent attacks on leading Bangladeshi media houses, including The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, had political backing and involved a section of the government, as authorities struggled to restore calm after one of the worst episodes of unrest targeting journalists in recent years.
Speaking at a joint protest titled “Bangladesh Under the Attack of Mob Violence”, organised by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Nahid, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said the violence appeared to have been pre-planned and linked to events following the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
“The whole incident was planned,” Nahid said, alleging that a conspiracy had been prepared in advance to manipulate the situation after Hadi’s killing. He claimed slogans associated with the July uprising and Hadi’s name were misused to justify attacks on media organisations and cultural institutions.
Calling for accountability, Nahid urged the government to conduct a fair investigation into both the attacks on journalists and the killing of Hadi. “Those who shot Hadi in broad daylight must also be held accountable,” he said, adding that violence must never be legitimised in the name of any political movement.
His remarks came as Bangladesh witnessed widespread unrest late Thursday night following confirmation of Hadi’s death. Mobs attacked media houses, political offices, cultural institutions and private residences in Dhaka and several other cities, triggering vandalism, arson and road blockades.
One of the most serious incidents occurred at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka, where the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo were vandalised and set on fire. At least 25 journalists were trapped on the rooftop for several hours before being rescued by Fire Service personnel amid heavy smoke and continued attacks on the building.
“I can’t breathe. So much smoke. I’m inside. You are trying to kill me,” senior journalist Zyma Islam wrote in a Facebook post during the ordeal.
Both newspapers later announced the suspension of their print and digital operations, citing safety concerns and the evacuation of staff.
Violence was also reported in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Barisal and Jhalakathi, where protesters targeted political offices, residences and highways. Army and Fire Service personnel were deployed in multiple locations to bring the situation under control.
Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir was verbally abused and physically harassed by a crowd while attempting to calm attackers at the Karwan Bazar site, according to videos circulating online.
By Friday morning, an uneasy calm had returned to Dhaka and other affected cities, though journalists described deep trauma following the night-long violence. “We were lucky — we narrowly escaped a major disaster,” one The Daily Star journalist said.
In a late-night appeal, Inqilab Moncho urged restraint, warning that violence, vandalism and arson were aimed at weakening the state. “As the February elections approach, consider who truly benefits if unrest is created in the country,” the organisation said.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement detailing arrests or charges related to the attacks.
