Two journalists and several Dhaka University students were allegedly assaulted during a police raid at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
The injured are Kawsar Ahmed Ripon, a multimedia reporter for Ajker Patrika; Tofayel Ahmed, a multimedia reporter for Banglanews24.com; and Dhaka University (DU) student Nayeem Uddin.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police conducted the raid around 7:30pm on Monday. Deputy Commissioner ((Ramna Zone) Masud said about 60–70 police personnel took part in the anti-drug operation.
He said that seven to eight people were detained. “There were only seven to eight, we couldn’t catch many today. The purpose was more to chase them away.”
Journalist Ripon said, “They beat Tofayel first. When I tried to stop them, they beat me too.” He explained that the incident occurred while covering the police operation at Suhrawardy Udyan. I ran over asking why they were beating Tofayel. Because I spoke up, they snatched my phone and started beating me as well.”
Another video circulating online shows DU student Nayeem arguing with police before officers began beating him indiscriminately. The footage sparked widespread discussion on social media.
Nayeem said they had been discussing an event called “Bahubhashar Sandhya” (Evening of Many Languages) at Suhrawardy Udyan and encountered police while leaving.
Asked about the operation, DC Masud said, “It was an anti-drug raid. Around 8 or 9pm no one else is there, they sit in the dark areas. This happens regularly, but today it was carried out on a larger scale.”
According to him, during the raid a group of eight to 10 personnel moved aside unnoticed while others went left. That group saw some DU students who were smoking cannabis. One identified himself as a DU student and started a scuffle.
Masud said, “Those who smoke cannabis usually carry small knives or scissors used to prepare it. One such item was used to injure a constable above the eye, causing a deep wound.”
On the assault of journalists, he said subordinates claimed they did not realise he was a reporter since he had no press ID card around his neck. The journalist, however, alleged the attack was deliberate.
Masud added, “We spoke with the journalists and resolved it. I told them this would never have happened if I had been present.”
He said DU students were later released after the proctor sent representatives, while the others detained will be sent to mobile court on Tuesday.
DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “Police informed us that some of our students had been detained during their operation. I told them our students must be released.”
On the assault of a student, he said, “Yes, I saw it. I will speak with DC Masud about what happened there.”
