Dhaka, Dec 19: Violent protests erupted in Bangladesh’s capital after the death of a prominent student leader, with arsonists targeting major newspaper offices and forcing journalists to flee burning newsrooms, authorities said.
Firefighters rescued dozens of journalists after demonstrators set fire to buildings housing leading dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star during overnight unrest in Dhaka. The blaze was brought under control around 1.40am, with 27 employees rescued from the smoke-filled premises.
The violence followed the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, 32, a key figure in the 2024 student-led uprising and a parliamentary aspirant. Hadi was shot by masked gunmen while leaving a mosque in Dhaka on Dec 12 and later died in a Singapore hospital on Dec 18. His killing triggered mass protests, with thousands taking to the streets demanding justice.
Journalists trapped inside The Daily Star newsroom described scenes of panic as smoke engulfed the building. For the first time in its history, publication of the newspaper was halted, consulting editor Kamal Ahmed said. Prothom Alo also suspended publication after its offices were vandalised and set ablaze.
Editors condemned the attacks as a direct assault on press freedom. Sajjad Sharif, executive editor of Prothom Alo, said the violence went beyond damage to individual media houses, calling it an attack on “freedom of the press, expression, dissent and diversity of opinion.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was alarmed by the attacks and urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety of journalists and hold those responsible accountable.
The unrest unfolded against a tense political backdrop. Critics of the targeted newspapers have accused them of favouring India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been living since stepping down in 2024. Hadi was also known as an outspoken critic of India.
Hadi’s student group, Inqilab Mancha, distanced itself from the violence, blaming opportunistic elements for vandalism and arson. In a statement, the group warned that such acts were aimed at destabilising the country and undermining its sovereignty.
Bangladeshi police have launched a nationwide manhunt for Hadi’s attackers, releasing photographs of two suspects and announcing a reward of five million taka for information leading to their arrest.
