Expressing deep condemnation, Dr Kamal Hossain, emeritus president of Gono Forum, demanded punishment for those who carried out attacks on The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.

Visiting The Daily Star building today, which was vandalised and set on fire early Friday, Dr Kamal told reporters that those who carried out the arson and vandalism against the two media houses were anti-people forces and must be identified and brought to justice.

“They have stood against the people of the country. These two media outlets have played a great role for the people of Bangladesh,” he said.

The government had failed to protect the two media houses, which he described as completely unacceptable.

Dr Kamal was accompanied by Gono Forum Acting President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury and its General Secretary Mizanur Rahman.