The media is under attack in Bangladesh, following the unrest that spread after Sharif Osman Hadi was declared dead yesterday evening. After news of the death of 'Inquilab Mancha' spokesperson Hadi came to light, protests strated in various spots across Bangladesh. The media was not spared from the aggressive protests either. Around 12 AM on Thursday night, the offices of Bangladeshi media outlets 'The Daily Star' and 'Prothom Alo' came under arson attack. Protestors vandalised the offices of these media outlets, and the buildings were set on fire. Many journalists got trapped in the offices. Later, army personnel, police, and BGB rescued them. The damage inflicted by the attack has led to the suspension of publication of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star newspapers on Friday. It is learned that the online operations of both media outlets have also been disrupted. Overall, the law and order system of Bangladesh's interim government is under question.
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What do the affected journalists say?
A journalist from Daily Star shared his horrific experience of Thursday night. He said, "Around 12:45 AM on Thursday night, an attack took place at the Prothom Alo office in Kawran Bazar. Someone called to inform that after this incident, several people were heading towards The Daily Star office. Many tried to leave the office. But by then it was too late. The 'mob' started vandalizing. Fire was also set at one point. Several journalists went up to the roof of the tenth floor in panic. That number was about 28 people." Although the canteen boy of this media outlet climbed down the fire exit ladder from the roof, he was not saved and had to face physical assault. After that, no one else dared to exit through that route. At one point, the president of the Editors' Council and editor of the 'New Age' newspaper, Nurul Kabir, went there. He tried to calm the attackers, but was faced with harassment instead.
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Prothom Alo office burned down
The four-story office of Prothom Alo located in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka, has been burned down. Smoke could be seen rising from several places on Friday morning as well. The newspaper's publishing house and marketing and human resources departments were situated at that very location. Sit-in demonstrations are continuing at Shahbag intersection in Bangladesh, as of 7 AM on Friday.
The question arises, could the administration not sense the situation? Why did the situation go out of control? Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus delivered a speech to the nation on Friday night. He declared national mourning in Bangladesh on Saturday. He also announced that the Bangladesh government will take the responsibility of Sharif Osman Hadi's wife and only child. On December 12, Hadi was shot in the Bijoy Nagar area of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Although he was initially being treated in Bangladesh, he was later taken to Singapore by air ambulance for treatment. He passed away there on Thursday night.
