Another publisher receives death threat from extremists a day after attacks

A group identifying itself as the Ansar al-Islam — the self-styled ‘Bangladesh branch’ of al-Qaeda in the Indian Sub-Continent — has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attacks here that left a publisher dead and three injured.

Publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan was hacked to death in his office, while in a separate attack publisher Ahmedur Rashid Chowdhury Tutul and writers Ranadipam Basu and Tarek Rahim were grievously wounded.

In an e-mail sent to some media outlets, the militants said: “These secular and atheist publishers waged war against religion of Islam in every possible ways.” It threatened to “annihilate anyone who would dare stand against Islam.”

On Sunday, publishing house Somoy Prakashan’s Farid Ahmed received a death threat.

“You have published many books of atheists, you have sinned. Be prepared for death! – Al-Ahrar, UK,” read the text message he received.

Taking note of these attacks on freethinkers, secular writers and publishers, the United Nations asked the Bangladesh government to be prompt in providing security to them.

In a statement, UN Resident Coordinator Robert Watkins condemned Mr. Dipan’s murder, and the attack on Mr. Tutul, Mr. Basu and Mr. Rahim.

The attacks, Mr. Watkins said, were “aimed to intimidate and restrict” the right to free speech.

“These killings must be condemned at all levels of political and religious leadership in order to prevent further attacks,” he added.

Booksellers across the country, meanwhile, have decided not to sell books on Monday in protest against Saturday’s synchronised attacks.