Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 19 (HBTV): At least 25 journalists of The Daily Star were rescued from their office more than four hours after a mob attacked the newspaper’s premises in Dhaka’s Kawran Bazar, BD News reported.
The crowd descended on the English-language daily’s office around midnight on Friday. According to reports, the first attack targeted the Bengali-language daily Prothom Alo, where protesters chanted slogans, vandalised the office and set it on fire around the same time.
The rescue of The Daily Star journalists took place around 4 am. Attackers vandalised the ground and first floors of the building before setting it ablaze at about 12:30 am. The fire quickly spread to two floors, sending thick smoke into the air. Reporters told BD News that fire service personnel were initially unable to reach the site as the crowd blocked access to the building.
Journalists trapped inside fled to the rooftop to save their lives, seeking help through phone calls and social media. Firefighters later brought the blaze under control around 2 am, but the journalists could not be evacuated immediately as the crowd again stormed the building. The Army was subsequently deployed, and soldiers later escorted the journalists out. New Age Editor Nurul Kabir, who had gone to speak to the crowd, was also assaulted.
The incident occurred despite Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus appealing for calm and urging citizens to allow law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations professionally.
(ANI)