Case filed against 400-500 unidentified people over attack on Prothom Alo office

A case has been filed against 400 to 500 unidentified people in connection with the attack, vandalism, looting and arson at the Prothom Alo office in the capital’s Karwan Bazar.

The case was lodged with Tejgaon Police Station at around 12:10 AM on Monday under the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Special Powers Act and the Cyber Security Ordinance.

Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) SN Md Nazrul Islam disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Center on Mintoo Road in the capital on Monday.

According to the case statement, the Prothom Alo office at Karwan Bazar was attacked late Thursday night.

The attackers allegedly forced their way into the office, vandalised property, looted valuables and later set fire to parts of the building.

The allegations stated that the attack was carried out with the intent to intimidate, cause damage, disrupt office operations and prevent the publication of the newspaper.

The case also mentions attempts to destroy evidence, acts of sabotage, and the use of online instructions to carry out criminal activities.

Prothom Alo alleged that the value of the looted property is estimated at Tk 2.50 crore, while the total damage from vandalism and arson amounts to approximately Tk 32 crore.

Meanwhile, a total of 17 people have been arrested so far out of 31 individuals initially identified as responsible for the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and two cultural organisations.