, Dec. 20 -- The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday said Bangladesh authorities should now take urgent steps to prevent the 'mob attacks' that have taken hold in the country since the Hasina government was ousted last August, and should ensure conditions for 'free, fair, and participatory' elections in February.

"The attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star are an alarming assault on freedom of expression," said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Ganguly said incitement to violence by some political actors, including on social media, is contributing to an environment in which journalists, political and social activists, and even artists and singers, are deliberately placed in danger.

The at...