BFUJ, DUJ demand action over police brutality on journalists in capital

The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) have strongly condemned the brutal assault on several journalists by police officers near the National Press Club in Dhaka.

In a joint statement, the two organizations demanded immediate and exemplary punishment for the officers involved, particularly one identified as Officer Joynal.

The incident took place on Wednesday (August 27) around 2pm, when two journalists from The New Nation — Syed Shakil Parvez and Noman Mosharraf — were reportedly attacked after a dispute with a microbus driver near the Press Club.

Eyewitnesses say the driver assaulted Parvez with a knife. As Mosharraf intervened, others from the vehicle joined in, beating the two and falsely accusing them of robbery.

Despite the violent attack unfolding in public, nearby police officers did not intervene. Instead, according to BFUJ and DUJ leaders, the police themselves began beating the journalists. Even after fellow reporters from various outlets identified the victims as media personnel, the assault continued.

Under the direction of Officer Joynal, Bangla Vision reporter Kefayet Shakil and The New Nation journalists Noman Mosharraf and Syed Shakil Parvez were forcibly taken into a police box and allegedly subjected to brutal torture. Female journalists Saptami Mandol Ritu and Khola Bazar Patrika reporter Rozina Begum were also injured while trying to help their colleagues.

Two of the injured — Mosharraf and Parvez — were later admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in serious condition.

In their joint statement, BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury, DUJ President Md. Shahidul Islam, and General Secretary Khurshid Alam described the attack as a continuation of authoritarian tactics. “The police have not changed their repressive character. Their actions reflect a culture of fascism and growing lawlessness,” the statement read.

The journalist unions warned that if immediate disciplinary action is not taken against the responsible officers, including Officer Joynal, they will initiate countrywide protests.

“The journalist community will not remain silent. We are prepared to take to the streets to defend press freedom and the safety of our colleagues,” the statement concluded.