Home minister orders chargesheet within 2 months over Prothom Alo, Daily Star arson attack
He said the incident had tarnished Bangladesh’s international image by creating the impression that media houses could be targeted with impunity.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (28 February) ordered investigators to submit a chargesheet within two months over the arson attack on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.
Salahuddin issued the directive after visiting an art exhibition titled "Alo," organised around the fire-damaged building of Prothom Alo in the capital's Karwan Bazar area.
The exhibition, described by organisers as a reflection on resilience, features burnt computers, machinery parts, furniture, books, and official documents recovered from the site.
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Speaking to journalists after the visit, the minister said the investigating agency had been instructed to conduct a fair inquiry and file a chargesheet within the next two months.
"The responsibility for the investigation lies with us, while the responsibility for delivering justice lies with the judiciary. We have directed the investigating agencies and law enforcement forces to complete a fair investigation and submit the chargesheet within the next two months," he said.
Salahuddin strongly condemned the attack and said demands for a proper investigation and justice had been raised from the outset.
He said the incident had tarnished Bangladesh's international image by creating the impression that media houses could be targeted with impunity. "Through exemplary punishment, we want to send the opposite message to the world, that no one can obstruct Bangladesh's path to progress."
Salahuddin said Prothom Alo's efforts to recover from the destruction resembled a "living museum," symbolising resilience in the face of adversity.
He also warned that communal and extremist forces might attempt to disrupt the country's progress, but said history had shown they had not succeeded.
