Desk Report:
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has ordered a proper investigation into the attack on the daily Prothom Alo and the Daily Star and the submission of a chargesheet within the next two months.
The minister gave this instruction in a briefing to journalists after visiting a special exhibition titled “An Art Arrangement on the Attacked and Burnt Buildings of Prothom Alo” at the burnt-out building of Prothom Alo in Karwan Bazar in the capital on Saturday (February 28, 2026) afternoon.
The minister said that after the chargesheet is filed, the judicial process of the case will begin. We seek everyone’s cooperation in the judicial process so that exemplary peace is ensured in such a shameful incident and the nation does not have to see such incidents again. He said that our reputation has been tarnished in the eyes of the whole world through this incident. The message has gone out to the whole world that newspapers in Bangladesh can be attacked at any time. Those who are against progress, those who are communal and extremist forces in this country had a sense of euphoria – this message has gone all over the world. He also said, we will give such a reverse message to the whole world through this exemplary trial – no one will be able to stop the progress, progress and advancement of society in Bangladesh in this way. And we will stop them, God willing.
The minister also said, our election manifesto talks about the complete independence of the independent media and the judiciary. We came to power with the mandate of the people. Therefore, we want to implement it with the cooperation of everyone according to the election manifesto. He said, the exhibition felt like a living museum. They have made an effort to learn how to rise from the ruins. However, what we have seen and learned through this exhibition is that – perhaps the communal extremist forces want to pull the rope of progress. But history testifies – they have never been able to do that. He also said, we strongly condemned the incident and demanded action for a fair trial.
In the briefing, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman said, I have had to listen to the local diplomatic community and abroad about the attack on Prothom Alo and the Daily Star. He said, today we can make a promise that such an incident will not happen again in our country and this promise must be made by the entire society. He expressed condolences to the Prothom Alo and Daily Star families and said, may they rise from this devastation and perform their duties as a truly independent media in Bangladesh again.
Prime Minister’s Policy and Strategy Advisor (State Minister’s rank) Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman said, any newspaper can have its own ideological ideology. If it exists, it can be criticized. There can be any protest for that, whatever is legal and tantric – we are willing to do so far. He said that the kind of attacks and arson that took place on the Daily Prothom Alo and the Daily Star could have resulted in deaths. He added that if anyone repeats such incidents in Bangladesh, I think ordinary citizens should stand up against them.
The Home Minister later inspected the damaged offices and debris of the Daily Star.
