New Age Editor and Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir on Monday described the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star as a “medieval-style attempt to burn people alive”, saying the assailants clearly intended to kill journalists by setting fire to the buildings from all sides.
Speaking at a joint protest meeting organised by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), Nurul Kabir said the attackers blocked access for the fire service while journalists were working inside, exposing their lethal intent.
“When journalists were inside their offices, fires were set deliberately and access for firefighters was obstructed. The objective was clear — to burn alive those with whom they disagree,” he said.
The protest meeting, titled ‘Bangladesh under Mob Violence’, was held at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Monday morning. Kabir was also reportedly harassed while visiting The Daily Star office to express solidarity during the attack, a matter condemned at the meeting.
Following the programme, a human chain was formed in front of the hotel at Karwan Bazar, with participation from leaders of political parties, journalists, media organisations, lawyers, business leaders, cultural activists and human rights defenders.
Referring to the attacks, Kabir warned that tolerating such violence would not only destroy media institutions but also paralyse social progress. “If society allows this to continue without resistance, it will block all paths to advancement,” he said.
Emphasising freedom of expression, Kabir noted that newspapers naturally follow different editorial policies and viewpoints, which must be protected in any democratic society. He called for collective action to ensure journalists’ safety and defend press freedom.
He further said safeguarding media freedom and democratic rights was not solely the responsibility of journalists but of the entire society, urging citizens across professions to unite against anti-democratic forces.
LND/SAE
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