Attacks on the media would not have been easy without collusion from within the government

The three-party Democratic Reform Alliance believes that attacks on the media would not have been so easy without the patronage of the interim government or collusion from within the government.

The alliance leaders further believe that the objective behind the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Osman Hadi and the attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo was to obstruct elections and reforms.

The alliance leaders visited the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo this Friday evening. They believe that an “extremist group” was behind yesterday’s attacks, vandalism, arson, and looting at the offices of the two media outlets.

Democratic Reform Alliance spokesperson and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nahid Islam, said, “If there had not been government patronage or collusion from within the government, these attacks would not have been so easy.”

At the time, alliance partners including AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju, State Reform Movement President Hasnat Kaiyum, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara, among others, were present.

Nahid Islam said, “Without government patronage, or without collusion or involvement from within the government, such incidents would not have been easy to carry out.”

“Therefore, the government must identify who was involved in these attacks and disclose it to the public,” he said.

Referring to yesterday’s attacks as “a failure on our part,” the NCP convener said, “Because this incident is negative for our democratic journey.”

Nahid said, “We must move forward. We believe the situation has not yet returned to normal. People across the country are angry and grieving. Those who carried out such acts last night (attacks, vandalism, arson)—that reckless extremist group—is attempting a conspiracy.”

Calling on everyone to remain alert, Democratic Reform Alliance spokesperson Nahid further said, “We will remain on the streets, there will be democratic expressions of anger, and we will raise demands. But we appeal to the people so that no group can exploit our protests to establish their own group interests and push us toward anything that could harm Bangladesh.”

Calling on everyone to attend Sharif Osman Hadi’s funeral tomorrow, he said, “It is our collective moral responsibility to participate in the funeral and take a pledge to continue the work of building the Bangladesh that Sharif Osman Hadi had begun.”

“Osman Hadi was a candidate and at the same time the face of the mass uprising. The government failed to provide his security. Therefore, political parties and the government must play an appropriate role to ensure a fair electoral environment. Because without elections, there is no other destination for us. We must move toward elections with the achievements of justice and reform,” he added.

Demanding government accountability, Nahid Islam called for action against those within the government who were involved in or remained inactive during yesterday’s attacks.

He also urged the government to ensure the safety of media professionals.

State Reform Movement President Hasnat Kaiyum described the attacks on media outlets and journalists as a “planned attack.”

According to him, the attack was carried out to tarnish the July uprising.

He also held the government responsible for the incident. Hasnat Kaiyum said it took place under government patronage to disrupt the upcoming election.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju criticized the government, saying that the violence and looting at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are clear signs of administrative failure.

He said, “Attacks on the media, threats to kill July fighters, disrespect toward women, and the daylight murder of Osman Hadi indicate a deterioration of law and order.”

He called on political parties and the government to remain united to prevent such attacks, violence, and looting.

Source: The Daily Star