Bangladesh Erupts: Newspaper Offices Torched, Journalists Trapped in Blaze

• Violence erupted in Bangladesh following the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, a vocal critic of Sheikh Hasina, who died in Singapore after being shot.
• Protesters targeted the offices of two major newspapers, The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, setting them ablaze amidst widespread arson and vandalism.
• Journalists and staff were trapped inside the burning buildings, with reporters like Zaima Islam describing terrifying experiences of being unable to breathe due to smoke.
• At least 27 employees of The Daily Star were trapped, and 25 journalists were rescued from the Kawran Bazar office by firefighters and later, army units.
• The protests, marked by anti-India sentiment, coincide with the announcement of general election dates, which Hadi planned to contest as an independent candidate.

Why It Matters: Hadi's death sparks violent protests in Bangladesh, leading to media offices being torched and journalists trapped.