Let the images of this shameful incident remain on my phone: Gias Uddin Selim

Filmmaker Gias Uddin Selim, director of "Monpura", on Monday afternoon visited the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar, which was gutted in an attack involving vandalism and arson on Thursday night.

During the visit, Selim spoke to Prothom Alo journalists and inspected the burned building. Condemning the incident, he said such acts of terrorism are completely undemocratic and run counter to civilisation and decency.

Expressing his reaction after seeing the damaged premises, Selim said he has always regarded Prothom Alo as an institution committed to good governance and democracy. He said he regularly relies on Prothom Alo's journalism and news presentation, often returning to it to cross-check facts and verify the truth. Describing the newspaper as holding a deeply emotional place for him, Selim said it was shocking that such a deliberate and organised act of terrorism could be carried out against the institution. He added that he visited the site to see the situation firsthand, express solidarity, and register his protest.

"If I see Prothom Alo as a person, then that person has been subjected to a barbaric attack," Selim said, adding that such violence is entirely undemocratic and contrary to civilisation and decency. He noted that in no civilised country can individuals attack people, institutions, or property in such a manner, and stressed that the state should not condone crimes and injustices of this nature. He also called for the identities of the attackers to be made public.

Urging the government and law enforcement agencies to act, Selim said all those involved in the unlawful acts must be arrested swiftly and face proper legal action. He emphasised the need for strong measures to ensure that no one dares to contemplate such incidents in the future.

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As he was leaving, Selim remarked that the destruction was not merely an attack on journalists or a building, but an assault on the country's democracy, freedom of expression, and human values.