Attack on Journalists in Narsingdi Leaves About 10 Injured Amid Extortion Dispute

At least 10 journalists were injured in a violent attack in Narsingdi District, Bangladesh, on the evening of January 26, 2026, while members of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) were returning from their annual Family Day event. The incident occurred in front of Dream Holiday Park in Madhabdi after a dispute over unexpected parking fees and alleged extortion demands, according to police and eyewitness accounts.

CRAB members from various Dhaka-based media outlets had parked their vehicles in a privately managed space near the park following the celebration. Although no extra fee was charged in the morning, attendants later demanded additional money when the journalists were preparing to leave, sparking an argument. The situation quickly escalated, and a group of local miscreants allegedly assaulted the journalists with sticks and locally made weapons, leaving several with head wounds and other serious injuries.

Police responded to the scene and detained two suspects, with authorities indicating that preparations were underway to file a formal case. One injured journalist was admitted to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital for treatment, while the others were transferred to hospitals in Dhaka for further medical care. Police said that some of the detained individuals had previous complaints against them for collecting excessive fees at the same location, which is not officially owned by the park.

CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal condemned the attack and called for legal action against those responsible, noting that the assailants formed a mob that caused panic among journalists’ families present at the event, including women and children. The association has demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators and emphasized the need to protect journalists from such violent acts.

The brutal assault has drawn criticism from other journalist organisations and civil society groups, such as Dhaka Reporters Unity, Bangladesh Human Rights Journalists Forum, and the Dhaka Union of Journalists, who expressed outrage at the violence and called for stronger safeguards for media workers. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami also condemned the attack, characterising it as an unacceptable assault on press freedom and demanding swift justice for the injured reporters.

The Narsingdi attack adds to broader concerns about journalist safety in Bangladesh, where media professionals have increasingly faced threats, harassment, and physical violence. Authorities and press freedom advocates have reiterated the importance of ensuring secure working conditions for journalists throughout the country.