Published : 24 Feb 2026, 10:53 PM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:32 AM
Dhaka University students have staged a protest outside Shahbagh Police Station, alleging that police assaulted one of their classmates during an operation at Suhrawardy Udyan.
The demonstration began around 1pm on Tuesday, with protesters surrounding the station and announcing a three-point demand.
The protest follows Monday night’s anti-narcotics drive at the park, during which police allegedly beat several people, including DU student Naim Uddin and two journalists.
The journalists were identified as Tofayel Ahmed of Banglanews24.com and Kawsar Ahmed Ripon of Ajker Patrika.
Videos circulating on social media show police officers striking Tofayel with batons. He was later taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Another video shows Naim, a student of the Anthropology Department and convenor of the Dhaka city unit of Biplobi Chhatra Jubo Andolon, being dragged to the ground and beaten while speaking to Deputy Commissioner Masud Alam.
Police detained three DU students during the drive.
At Tuesday’s protest, students chanted slogans demanding accountability from Shahbagh police and punishment for those involved.
Anthropology student Kafira Jahan said questioning law enforcement was a citizen’s right and alleged that the incident reflected what she described as “ego-driven violence”.
“We want justice over the actions of DC Masud and the officers involved,” she said.
The protesters’ three demands include punitive action against the officers allegedly involved, an end to policing in and around the university campus, and guarantees of students’ safety and human rights.
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Chhatra Federation also held a demonstration at the Raju Memorial Sculpture over the incident.
Naim said he and others were discussing a cultural programme at Suhrawardy Udyan when police confronted them.
“They found nothing illegal on us but later accused us of arguing,” he said, adding that he suffered injuries to his head, hands and legs.
