Journalists across the country staged protests and strongly condemned recentarson attacks and vandalism at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, demanding immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.
They warned that continued impunity would pose a serious threat to press freedom and public safety.
Hundreds of journalists formed a human chain in Gazipur in the afternoon, protesting the attacks on the offices and the assault on journalist Nurul Kabir.
Gazipur Press Club organised the programme held around 12:00pm in front of the press club.
4a9b756d5858ee7bc584663a4dc88aa4">Speakers demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers and issued a 24-hour ultimatum, warning of tougher programmes if no action was taken within the stipulated time.
Delwar Hossain, senior staff reporter of Dainik Dinkal and a senior member of the press club's organising committee, said attacks were carried out on media houses instead of paying respects to the coffin of July warrior Sharif Osman Hadi.
style="font-family: helvetica;">"The motive is clear: creating unrest to disrupt the electoral process," he said, adding that attempts to incite mob violence against journalists would fail.
Shah Samsul Haque Ripon, district correspondent of Dainik Jugantor, alleged that a deliberate effort was underway to destabilise Bangladesh and portray the country as lawless to the international community. He urged the government to take strict measures to contain the situation.
ATN News staff reporter Mazharul Islam Masum said video footage of the attackers was circulating on social media and demanded immediate arrests. "If justice is delayed, journalists will be forced to mobilise again after 24 hours," he warned.
Journalists from The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Kaler Kantho, Samakal, Ekattor TV, Jugantor, Desh Rupantor, RTV, Jaijaidin, Sokaler Somoy, Protidiner Bangladesh and Kaler Janabani took part in the programme.
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Satkhira
Journalists in Satkhira also formed a human chain today, saying attacks and arson on media offices would not silence the voice of the press.
The programme was organised by the Satkhira Press Club at the New Market intersection around 11:00am.
Speakers said Prothom Alo and The Daily Star had played a courageous role during the July movement and that attempts to intimidate the media were part of a broader conspiracy to destabilise the country.
They alleged that despite repeated killings and attacks on journalists, the government response had largely been limited to statements, with little visible action against perpetrators.
The speakers said the July uprising aimed for a safe, orderly and democratic Bangladesh where people could speak freely without fear.
They also noted that Hadi had never supported arson or vandalism, adding that the large turnout at his funeral proved violence could never gain public support.
The journalists demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as the murder of Imdadul Haque, president of the Dumuria Sholua Press Club in Khulna.
They also condemned other recent incidents of violence, including the killing of Dipu Kumar Das in Mymensingh and the deadly arson attack in Lakshmipur that claimed the life of a child. A one-minute silence was observed in memory of Hadi at the beginning of the programme.
The event was chaired by press club president Abul Kamesh and conducted by joint general secretary M Belal Hossain. Among others, speeches were delivered by Kalyan Banerjee, Momtaz Ahmed, Asaduzzaman, Sheikh Farid Ahmed, Raghunath Khan, SM Jinnah, Gazi Farhad, SM Biplob Hossain, GM Sohrab Hossain, Jamal Uddin, Barun Banerjee and Hossain Ali.
Sylhet
The Electronic Media Journalists Association (EMJA) in Sylhet also strongly condemned the recent attacks on media houses and journalists across the country.
In a statement, EMJA President Ashraful Kabir and General Secretary Sakib Ahmed Mithu said that despite expectations of a peaceful environment following the announcement of the election schedule, a series of unwarranted attacks had taken place.
They condemned the vandalism and intimidation at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka on December 18, the killing of a journalist in Khulna, and the harassment of journalists from 71 Television in Sylhet.
The organisation demanded that those responsible be swiftly identified and brought to justice, urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take effective measures to ensure the safety of journalists and protect press freedom.