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February 24, 2026 – Bangladesh –
Several journalists and students were injured, and officers are now facing scrutiny after a controversial anti-drug operation conducted by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on the evening of 23 February 2026. The incident has sparked protests, disciplinary action, and debate over police conduct during law-enforcement operations in public spaces.
Police from the Ramna Zone executed what authorities described as a routine “anti-narcotics drive,” deploying about 60-70 personnel and detaining seven to eight individuals. During the operation, multimedia reporters Tofayel Ahmed of Banglanews24.com and Kawsar Ahmed Ripon of Ajker Patrika were assaulted while covering the activity, video footage shows. According to witnesses and press reports, Ahmed sustained head injuries after being struck with batons when attempting to record the scene, and Ripon was beaten and had his mobile phone seized after intervening on behalf of his colleague. A Dhaka University (DU) student, Nayem (Nayeem) Uddin, was also beaten and briefly detained, despite no illegal items being found on him or his companions.
The confrontations drew immediate criticism from student groups, journalists, and civil society voices who described the actions as excessive and an infringement on the public and media’s right to document law-enforcement actions. Several videos circulated on social media showing officers striking journalists and dragging students during the encounter, which occurred in a public park just after sunset.
In response to the public outcry, DMP officials have withdrawn four police officers involved from duty and initiated departmental investigations into their conduct. Deputy Commissioner Md Masud Alam acknowledged the disciplinary measures, stating that further personnel linked to the incident may also face action, even while reiterating that the operation was part of regular anti-drug efforts.
The episode has triggered protests by Dhaka University students, including rallies and sit-ins outside Shahbagh Police Station, where demonstrators demanded accountability, the removal of DC Masud Alam, and an independent probe into police use of force. Student leaders argued that unprovoked assaults on journalists and students undermine basic civil liberties and public trust in law enforcement.
The controversy surrounding the anti-drug operation has opened a broader conversation in Bangladesh about the boundaries of police authority, respect for press credentials during operational reporting, and safeguards against unnecessary force, particularly in areas frequented by civilians and media professionals.
Reference –
Anti-Narcotics Drive: Students condemn police brutality, mistreatment
https://www.journalismpakistan.com/police-close-four-officers-after-beating-journalists-in-dhaka
