A case has been filed against around 400 unidentified individuals over a horrific attack, vandalism, arson, and looting at the office of the English-language daily The Daily Star. Authorities have claimed that the incident caused an estimated loss of Tk 40 crore.
Tejgaon Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Kaisainu confirmed the matter to Jago News on Monday night (December 22).
He said, “Mizanur Rahman, Head of Operations of The Daily Star, has filed an FIR. An investigation is underway, and operations to arrest the accused have already begun.”
According to the FIR, between 350 and 400 unidentified miscreants gathered in front of The Daily Star office at around 12:25am on December 19, armed with local weapons, sticks, and flammable materials. They chanted provocative slogans in an attempt to incite public outrage and unrest.
The FIR further states that several online activists posted incendiary content on social media, instigating the attack. Acting on these instructions, the miscreants formed a mob, broke through the building’s steel gate and glass doors, and entered the premises, where they carried out extensive vandalism and arson.
The attackers attempted to assault journalists and employees inside the office and destroyed furniture and other property. Fires were set on the ground, second, and third floors, while vandalism and looting were carried out on the fourth through eighth floors of the building.