The Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) on Friday expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over attacks, vandalism, and arson at the offices of leading dailies Prothom Alo and The Daily Star.

In a joint statement, Editors’ Council President Nurul Kabir and NOAB President A.K. Azad said the attacks are not just assaults on the media but on society and democratic values. They noted that significant infrastructure was damaged and journalists’ lives were put at risk.

The statement said the incidents are part of a disturbing trend of mob violence, reflecting the interim government’s failure to maintain law and order. Law enforcement agencies failed to act effectively to prevent the crime.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus called Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman and The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, assuring them of their safety. The Editors’ Council and NOAB, however, held the government responsible for failing to control the situation.

The bodies demanded the perpetrators be swiftly identified, arrested, and punished as an example. They also called on professionals, business leaders, civil society, political parties, and journalists’ organizations to stand in solidarity.