The arson attacks and vandalism on the offices of Prothom Alo, The Daily Star and Chhayanaut in the capital were aimed at sabotaging the 13th national election, security and political analysts say.
They argue that a particular group deliberately targeted newspaper offices and cultural institutions to demonstrate its strength and draw public attention.
Analysts have also expressed concern over attacks carried out at several locations across the country, including three key institutions in the heart of the capital, late Thursday night following news of the death of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was declared dead in Singapore, where he had been taken for advanced treatment after being shot in Dhaka a week earlier.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, analysts and political figures urged the government to take firm action in response to the situation that has emerged since the election schedule was announced.
They also questioned what they described as failures in responding adequately to the attacks and criticised what they see as government inaction.
Many are now asking whether the government will be able to ensure security across all 300 constituencies on the same day during the upcoming elections, after key institutions in the capital came under attack despite the visible presence of law enforcement agencies.
Former inspector general of police Ashraful Huda told TIMES of Bangladesh that there had long been concerns that those seeking to destabilise the country or derail the election could carry out such incidents at any time. “The question, however, is how prepared our law enforcement agencies actually were for this,” he said.
He added that Thursday’s incidents showed the government was not taking the matter seriously enough. “Ahead of an election and in the current national context, intelligence agencies should have been far more proactive, and the lack of that preparedness has now become evident.”
Ashraful Huda said the relevant agencies must determine whether the attacks were carried out by remnants of fallen fascist forces or any other group.
He also advised the police, the Rapid Action Battalion and other forces to launch robust operations, warning that holding an election would become difficult if the safety of the media, ordinary citizens and candidates could not be ensured.
Following the unprecedented attacks on media houses and cultural centres, many analysts have raised questions about the government’s capacity to hold the election.
“Awami League criminals shot Osman Hadi. It is nothing new that this fallen group wants to derail the election. Even after being identified following the shooting, the attackers managed to flee through border routes,” said former Jahangirnagar University Government and Politics Department chair and political analyst Professor Dilara Choudhury.
She said there had been no effective steps by the government—particularly the home affairs adviser—to protect the lives and property of citizens. “After incidents occur, the government merely issues statements to discharge its responsibility. Statements are not enough; their duty was to ensure people’s safety.”
She further said the government lacked the capacity to hold elections nationwide on a single day.
Meanwhile, news of Osman Hadi’s death has prompted political parties to become more active. Although they are angry over the government’s actions, they are also emphasising national unity to ensure that elections are held and the democratic process in the country is maintained.
“We must collectively resist any conspiracy to prevent the election and move the country forward through a credible vote,” said Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Friday that the government should have anticipated the lawlessness that emerged following the death of Osman Hadi. “With proper advance preparation and precautionary measures, the situation could have been kept under control,” he said.
He said it was necessary to investigate whether there was any plot or strategy aimed at obstructing the election by creating chaos, adding that such activities would not be able to halt the country’s democratic progress.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami issued a statement urging all to exercise restraint and avoid falling into any provocation that could undermine the election.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s media wing Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair told TIMES of Bangladesh that the party was calling for national unity to hold elections and restore democracy in the country by confronting all conspiracies.
