Students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University on Friday demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the killing of Inqilab Moncho convenor Sharif Osman Hadi, attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, and the assault on New Age editor Nurul Kabir.

In a statement, the students expressed deep concern and outrage over the incidents. They offered condolences to Hadi’s bereaved family, praying for his soul, and urged immediate arrest and legal action against the perpetrators.

The statement highlighted that a vested extremist group exploited Hadi’s killing to carry out vandalism, arson, and looting at leading media outlets and the cultural institution Chhayanaut. The assault on Nurul Kabir was also strongly condemned.

The students said such attacks directly threaten press freedom, freedom of expression, and are contrary to the spirit of the July uprising. They criticized the interim government, noting that nearly a week after Hadi was shot, the perpetrators have yet to be arrested, with reports suggesting they fled to India.

The students called on citizens to maintain peaceful protests and avoid violence while urging the government to take strict and effective measures to ensure the safety of people, media, cultural institutions, and public and private property.