'We do not want to die like this': AK Azad on journos' near-suffocation on Daily Star rooftop

If the fire had continued for 15 more minutes, many of the journalists trapped on the rooftop of The Daily Star would have suffocated to death, Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) President AK Azad has said, quoting the newspaper's Editor Mahfuz Anam.

"We do not want to die like this. Our footfalls should not be silenced like this," he said while speaking at a press conference and human chain in Dhaka, jointly organised by the Editors' Council and Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (Noab) today (22 December) held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, in protest against mob violence against mass media and other institutions across the country. Representatives of various businesses, social, political, and cultural organisations joined the programmes in solidarity.

Quoting The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, he also said, "No one came to their rescue despite help being sought from government officials and law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies stood idle while looting, arson continued in front of our eyes."

"We will hold grand rally in the beginning of January. We will announce our next steps then. We will continue to stand against any arson, including those at The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Chhayanaut, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi, and until our freedom of expression is not ensured," said AK Azad.