‘Can’t breathe’: Why mobs attacked Daily Star, Prothom Alo and targeted veteran journalists in Bangladesh protests

Image shows smashed windows at the Prothom Alo office in Dhaka (Image: AFP)

Bangladesh descended into fresh chaos on Thursday night after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, with violent protests erupting across Dhaka and other cities. Several media houses were attacked, journalists were trapped inside burning buildings, and at least one senior editor was assaulted as mobs targeted institutions they accused of political bias.

Hadi, a 32-year-old spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha platform and a candidate in Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, had been shot in the head by masked assailants on December 12 while campaigning in Dhaka. He was initially treated locally before being airlifted to Singapore, where he died after six days on life support, Reuters reported.

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Following confirmation of his death, violent demonstrations swept through the capital and other cities, marking one of the most intense nights of unrest since last year’s political upheaval.

Offices of Bangladesh’s two leading newspapers, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, were vandalised and set on fire in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar area around midnight. AFP reported that “several buildings in the capital, including those housing the country’s two leading newspapers, were set on fire, with staff trapped inside.”

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Firefighters later brought the blaze at The Daily Star under control around 1:40 am, but dozens of journalists remained trapped for hours. According to BD News and BBC Bangla, at least 25 journalists were eventually rescued with the help of army units and fire service personnel.

Daily Star reporter Zyma Islam posted a desperate message on Facebook during the fire:

“I can’t breathe anymore. There’s too much smoke. I’m inside. You are killing me.”

Another reporter, Ahmed Deepto, told AFP that staff had taken shelter at the rear of the building while protesters shouted slogans outside.

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Amid the chaos, veteran journalist Nurul Kabir, editor of the English daily New Age, was attacked by a mob during protests. The assault added to growing concerns over journalist safety as violence spread across the country.

Protesters accused Prothom Alo and The Daily Star of being aligned with India, where former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been living since fleeing Bangladesh in August 2024. Demonstrators demanded Hasina’s extradition and blamed sections of the media for allegedly supporting her camp.

According to local broadcaster Nagorik, mobs gathered outside the newspaper offices shortly after news of Hadi’s death broke, attacking the buildings with sticks and setting fire to parts of the premises. Live videos circulating on social media showed flames on the streets outside Prothom Alo and extensive damage inside both offices.

Journalists from both newspapers alleged police inaction during the attacks. Speaking to BBC Bangla, staff members claimed officers were present but failed to intervene, saying police “stood by and watched” as the violence unfolded. Law enforcement officials, however, said they were preparing to bring the situation under control.

Hadi was a prominent figure in the July 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who heads the interim administration, confirmed Hadi’s death in a televised address, calling it “an irreparable loss for the nation” and stating that “the country’s march toward democracy cannot be halted through fear, terror, or bloodshed,” AFP reported.

The government has announced special prayers and declared Saturday a national day of mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast.

Meanwhile, authorities have launched a manhunt for Hadi’s attackers, releasing photographs of two key suspects and announcing a reward for information leading to their arrest.

Violence was also reported in Chattogram, Rajshahi and other cities, where protesters blocked roads, vandalised political offices and attacked private properties. Reuters reported that demonstrators chanted slogans invoking Hadi’s name and vowed to continue protests until justice is delivered.

Police and paramilitary forces were deployed across Dhaka, but several areas remained tense late into the night as Bangladesh grappled with another major law-and-order crisis.