Allegations have surfaced against police of assaulting two journalists and a Dhaka University student during an anti-drug drive at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Monday night.
The incident sparked criticism on social media, and students staged a protest outside Shahbagh Police Station on Tuesday.
According to police, the operation was conducted around 7:30pm under the Ramna Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Deputy Commissioner of Ramna Division, Md Masud Alam, said 60–70 personnel participated, detaining seven to eight individuals at the scene.
Among the injured are Kawsar Ahmed Ripon, a multimedia reporter for Ajker Patrika, and Tofayel Ahmed, a multimedia reporter for Banglanews24. Ripon alleged that he was assaulted and his mobile phone seized after intervening when his colleague was beaten. “I asked why they were hitting him, then they pushed and started hitting me,” he said.
A viral video also shows Dhaka University student Nayeem Uddin being assaulted following an argument with police. Nayeem claimed that after leaving a discussion programme titled “Evening of Multilingualism,” he encountered police, and despite no illegal items being found, he was dragged away, beaten, and had his mobile phone confiscated. He was later detained at the police station for a short period.
On Tuesday evening, DC Masud Alam confirmed that four police officers involved had been withdrawn from duty and that departmental action would follow. He described the incident as arising from an altercation between police and a student, which escalated on both sides, and said the drive was part of routine anti-drug operations.
“During the operation, some students were consuming cannabis, and a constable sustained a deep injury above his eye from a sharp object carried by them,” he added.
Masud Alam also noted that police were unaware that one of the journalists was on duty, as he was not wearing identification, and claimed the matter was later resolved through discussion. Three Dhaka University students who were detained were released following requests from university authorities, while others were sent to a mobile court.
Dhaka University Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said police informed him about the detentions, and he requested the students’ release. On the assault allegations, he said he would discuss the matter with DC Masud.
In protest, students staged a sit-in outside Shahbagh Police Station on Tuesday, with leaders of the Bangladesh Chhatra Federation joining in solidarity. Protesters demanded punishment for the officers involved, an end to police harassment on university premises, and guarantees for students’ safety and human rights.
The Dhaka University Central Students’ Union issued a statement calling for identification and exemplary punishment of the responsible officers. “The use of force without provocation is contrary to law and human rights.
Assaulting a journalist while on duty violates the principles of a free press,” it said. The union also urged authorities to ensure that such operations do not harass innocent students, journalists, or the public.
Meanwhile, in protest against the police assault on Nayeem Uddin, the Ganotantrik Chhatra Jote held a demonstration march on Tuesday evening.
After the march, the leaders of the organisation held a brief assembly at the Raju Sculpture, where they demanded the removal of deputy commissioner of Ramna Division, Masud, and exemplary punishment and trial of the police officers involved in the incident.
Speaking at the assembly, the victimised student Nayeem Uddin said that the police’s reckless behaviour, even before any crime had been proven, exposes their anti-people character.
Human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra expressed deep concern over the incident, calling for an impartial and transparent investigation. The organization warned that excessive use of force in the name of anti-drug drives is unacceptable.
