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<p data-start="103" data-end="433"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bangladesh&rsquo;s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday said nine people have been arrested in nationwide raids in connection with attacks on the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as well as two cultural organisations, following a wave of violence that erupted after the death of student leader Osman Hadi.</span></p>
<p data-start="435" data-end="732"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yunus said authorities have also identified three individuals through video footage for attempting to create disorder near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram. He added that strict action would be taken to ensure stability ahead of the upcoming national election.</span></p>
<p data-start="734" data-end="1154"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The violence broke out after the death of Osman Hadi was announced last Thursday. Soon after, mobs took to the streets in several parts of Bangladesh, vandalising, looting and setting fire to the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. A separate group gathered near the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram, suspecting that the prime accused in the Hadi case, Alamgir, had fled to India.</span></p>
<p data-start="1156" data-end="1523"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yunus confirmed the identities of seven of the arrested individuals on social media. They include Md Kashem Faruqi, Md Saidur Rahman, Rakib Hossain, Md Naim, Faisal Ahmed Pranto, Md Sohel Rana and Md Shafiqul Islam. He said two more individuals have been arrested by the counter-terrorism unit and the detective branch, with their identities currently being verified.</span></p>
<p data-start="1525" data-end="1915"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to officials, Kashem Faruqi is a former madrasa student currently residing in Dhaka, while Saidur Rahman hails from Faridpur district. Rakib Hossain, a resident of Sherpur, was identified through video footage as an active participant in vandalism and arson at the newspaper offices. He allegedly shared photographs of the destruction and posted inciting messages on social media.</span></p>
<p data-start="1917" data-end="2495"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Md Naim was arrested from Cumilla along with Tk 50,000 allegedly looted during the violence. During questioning, he confessed to looting a total of Tk 1.23 lakh, part of which he used to purchase household appliances that have since been recovered. Md Sohel Rana, arrested from the Karwan Bazar railway line area, reportedly has 13 previous cases against him, including narcotics-related offences. Md Shafiqul Islam, detained from the same area, has two prior cases linked to arson and explosive-related incidents. Preliminary interrogation of the remaining suspects is ongoing.</span></p>
<p data-start="2497" data-end="2892"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier on Sunday, Yunus chaired a high-level meeting at the state guest house Jamuna to review the overall law and order situation. Law enforcement agencies informed him that video analysis had led to the preliminary identification of at least 31 suspects involved in the recent attacks. Yunus directed authorities to restore and maintain normalcy &ldquo;at any cost&rdquo; ahead of the national elections.</span></p>
<p data-start="2894" data-end="3137"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The meeting also reviewed the progress of investigations into the killing of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Hadi, security arrangements linked to the return of a senior opposition leader, and preparations for Christmas and New Year celebrations.</span></p>
<p data-start="3139" data-end="3545"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The unrest has also been marked by communal violence. During the mob rampage last Thursday, a Hindu man, Dipu Das, was lynched in Mymensingh, further escalating tensions. India has since expressed strong concern over the killing and over continued attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, stating that it is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and remains in contact with Bangladeshi authorities.</span></p>
<p data-start="3547" data-end="3750"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Earlier this month, Indian authorities had also conveyed concerns to the Bangladeshi side over extremist elements allegedly planning to create security threats around Indian diplomatic missions in Dhaka.</span></p>
<p data-start="3752" data-end="3957" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Bangladesh grapples with mounting unrest, the interim administration has reiterated its commitment to bring those responsible for violence to justice and to ensure stability in the lead-up to the polls.</span></p>
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Bangladesh interim chief Muhammad Yunus holds high-level meeting after Sharif Osman Hadi violence

Yunus orders law and order ‘at any cost’ as unrest grips Bangladesh ahead of polls

Nine Held for Attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star

Yunus orders law and order ‘at any cost’ as unrest grips Bangladesh ahead of polls

December 22, 2025 | 20:25 IST