Dhaka, Bangladesh — The Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar sustained significant damage, including looting and arson, leading to an estimated financial loss of Tk32 crore, according to a police report filed in court on December 22. The Tejgaon police have subsequently charged 15 individuals in relation to this incident.
The details within the report, prepared by Inspector Abdul Hannan, indicated that the total cost of the damage could rise pending further investigation. The assault, described as both vandalism and arson, underscores the severity of the attack on one of the country’s prominent media organizations.
The case has been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act by Major (Retd) Md Sajjadul Kabir, Prothom Alo’s head of security. The assault occurred late at night on December 18, when a mob of 20 to 30 individuals, armed with makeshift weapons and incendiary devices, attempted to storm the Prothom Alo offices. On-site law enforcement managed to thwart their attempt to breach security; however, the attackers regrouped outside, chanting inflammatory slogans aimed at inciting chaos.
Inside the building, the assailants engaged in violence against employees, vandalizing office furniture and stealing various items. Witnesses reported that they smashed windows and hurled office equipment from upper floors, fueling a destructive fire. This calculated act was designed not only to terrify the employees but also to disrupt the newspaper’s operations entirely.
In addition to physical damage, the assailants targeted essential equipment, including over 150 computers and laptops valued at about Tk1.75 crore, alongside Tk75 lakh stored in locked units. Books and other materials from Prothom Prakashan’s ground-floor sales outlet were also taken. The acts of arson displayed a clear intent to harm journalists and staff while causing extensive damage to the property.
The fire led to the destruction of critical infrastructure, impacting the company’s servers, accounting documents, contracts, and other official papers essential to the organization. Additionally, crucial evidence was destroyed in the attack, as the perpetrators deliberately damaged CCTV cameras and network data recorders to eliminate traces of their actions.
This incident has raised broader concerns about the safety of journalists in Bangladesh and the state of press freedom amid rising tensions. The attack on Prothom Alo reflects an alarming trend of targeting media outlets that challenge prevailing narratives, leaving many in the industry worried about the future of independent journalism in the region.