Dhaka University Students Protest Against Police Action

Students of Dhaka University have staged a protest outside Shahbagh Police Station, demanding legal action against DC Masud Alam, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ramna Division of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). The demonstration comes in response to what students allege was an unlawful police assault on Naimuddin, a member of the 29th batch of the university’s Anthropology Department.

The protest began shortly after 1:00 pm on Tuesday, 24 February, with students from the Anthropology Department taking a firm stand outside the police station. They called for immediate accountability and legal measures against the officer and the personnel involved in the alleged assault.

According to the students, the incident occurred late on Monday night at Suhrwardy Udyan, where Naimuddin was reportedly targeted without any provocation. Demonstrators voiced strong opposition to what they described as “arbitrary police violence” and questioned the legitimacy of such actions, asking: “Who has given the police the right to assault ordinary citizens on the streets? Can people no longer walk freely without fear? Are public roads now police property?”

Students have been vocal in their demands, emphasising that legal measures should be taken against DC Masud Alam and all officers involved in the incident. Their protest included slogans, placards, and calls for institutional reforms to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Key Demands of the Protesters

Students emphasised that unless their demands are addressed promptly, they will continue their demonstrations. They insisted that accountability and justice are necessary not only to safeguard individual rights but also to uphold the broader principle of human rights in public spaces.

The protest at Shahbagh Police Station reflects a growing concern among the student community over police conduct and the need for systemic reforms to ensure that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of legality and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.