Press Club of India condemns attacks on Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Nurul Kabir's harassment
The press club said the perpetrators behind the attacks on the two newspapers and the harassment of Nurul Kabir must be held accountable through a fair, impartial, and speedy investigation
The Press Club of India strongly condemned the violence and arson at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo in Dhaka, as well as the harassment of New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, demanding that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.
In a statement today (20 December), the press body expressed serious concern over what it described as growing attacks on journalists during the tenure of Bangladesh's interim government.
It claimed that "more than 100 journalists have been arrested on murder charges and remain in jail without trial," and demanded their immediate release.
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The press club said the perpetrators behind the attacks on the two newspapers and the harassment of Nurul Kabir must be held accountable through a fair, impartial, and speedy investigation.
Emphasising that independent and responsible journalism is a cornerstone of a democratic state, Press Club of India President Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty and Secretary General Afzal Imam said violence, intimidation, or harassment aimed at silencing the media are in no way acceptable."
"Such actions are completely contrary to media freedom, the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and the rule of law," the statement said.
In the early hours of Friday (19 December), angry protesters set The Daily Star office near Farmgate on fire, following the vandalism and torching of a Prothom Alo building at Karwan Bazar, as unrest over the death of Inqilab Mancha Spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi escalated late on Thursday night (18 December).
Journalists and staff working night shifts were forced to flee for safety, with several taking shelter on rooftops for hours before being rescued by fire service personnel.
No fatalities were reported, though many employees suffered from smoke inhalation and shock.
Nurul Kabir, the editor of the daily newspaper New Age, was harassed and shoved by a group of protesters as he attempted to reach The Daily Star office that night.
