Published : 22 Dec 2025, 05:07 PM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:31 AM
Police have identified 31 people involved in the attacks on the offices of two leading newspapers and two cultural organisations in Dhaka during a wave of violence triggered by news of Inqilab Moncho Convenor Sharif Osman bin Hadi.
At least nine people have been detained in connection with the attacks that targeted the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as the cultural institutions Chhayanaut and Udichi.
Police said raids were carried out in Dhaka and other parts of the country up to Monday morning.
The information was shared with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus during a meeting on Sunday at the State Guest House Jamuna, where the overall law and order situation was reviewed.
Police said they have confirmed the identities of seven of the nine people arrested so far.
They are Md Kashem Faruk, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam.
Two others were detained by the Counter-Terrorism Unit and the Detective Branch, and efforts are under way to establish their identities.
Investigators said the 31 suspects were identified after reviewing video footage from the scenes of the attacks.
Meanwhile, three people involved in an attempt to cause unrest near the residence of India’s assistant high commissioner in Chattogram were also identified through video evidence.
TV, FRIDGE BOUGHT WITH LOOTED MONEY
Police alleged that some of those arrested were directly involved in vandalism and arson at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. One suspect was identified in footage shared on social media, while another was arrested with cash believed to have been looted during the attacks.
One of the detainees admitted during questioning to looting more than Tk 120,000 and using the money to buy a television and a refrigerator, which were later recovered.
Others were arrested in different parts of Dhaka and were already facing multiple criminal cases, including charges related to drugs, arson and explosive devices, according to police.
The violence was sparked by reports of Hadi's death in a Singapore hospital on Dec 18. Protesters initially blocked the Shahgagh intersection before groups went on to attack the offices Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Karwan Bazar.
Later the same night, the Chhayanaut cultural centre in Dhanmondi was targeted, with reports of vandalism, looting and arson. The following day, the office of the cultural organisation Udichi was also set on fire.
