A group of masked men attacked the Prothom Alo office in Bogra on Monday night, causing significant damage to the premises.
The incident occurred at around 10:30pm at the office located on Rezaul Baki Road in the Jaleswaritola area of the city.
The attackers, arriving on eight motorcycles, hurled stones at the building, damaging a digital signboard and shattering a 10-mm-thick glass wall.
Upon receiving the news, police rushed to the scene, but the perpetrators had already fled.
Prothom Alo Bogra Bureau Chief Anwar Parvez said they had anticipated such an attack and informed the superintendent of police and the officer-in-charge (OC) of Bogra Sadar police station. However, no security measures were taken despite their requests, he claimed.
“Our office usually operates from 10am to 11pm. Fearing an attack, we closed early and left for home around 9pm. Later, at 10:45pm, a local business leader informed us about the incident,” said Anwar.
CCTV footage showed masked individuals arriving at the office and launching the attack. After breaking the glass wall and signboard, they fled towards Jailkhana Mor.
Inspector Sirajul Haque, in charge of Bogura Sadar police outpost, said multiple police teams are working to identify and apprehend the attackers. “We have collected CCTV footage and are working to bring the culprits to justice,” he said.
This is not the first time the Bogra office of Prothom Alo has been targeted. An attack occurred back in 2013, following which senior police and RAB officials visited the site.
The Prothom Alo Bogra office said it plans to file a general diary (GD) with the police, also seeking security for its staff.