During the meeting at her official residence, Ganabhaban, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep concern over the unprecedented and targeted attacks on journalists during the opposition BNP’s rally in Dhaka on October 28. She underscored that the attacks, which seemed aimed at causing severe harm to the journalists, were unparalleled in the history of the country’s movements and struggles.
In response to the brutality witnessed, Prime Minister Hasina assured the injured journalists that the perpetrators behind these heinous acts would not go unpunished. She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing image and video footages of the incidents to bring the culprits to justice.
In addition to the attacks on journalists, Prime Minister Hasina highlighted that similar acts of violence were carried out on the residence of the chief justice, judges’ quarters, and on-duty police members. She expressed her shock at the unprecedented attack on the chief justice’s house and called for accountability for those orchestrating such actions.
Acknowledging the broader context of the upcoming general election scheduled for January 7, Prime Minister Hasina urged the citizens to remain vigilant. She cautioned about both domestic and international conspiracies aimed at disrupting the democratic process and emphasized the need for the public to stay alert.
During the event, a video documentary was presented, featuring statements from the injured journalists, shedding light on the inhumane treatment they endured on October 28. The Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, Ihsanul Karim, welcomed attendees, and the event was moderated by Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta. Notable figures such as Mozammel Babu, Editor-in-chief of Ekattor TV and President of the Editors Guild, Bangladesh, and Shakil Ahmed, Head of News of Ekattor TV, also addressed the gathering.
