DMP news website displays political messages, violent images

The website of 'DMP News', the online news outlet of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), displayed objectionable political messages and images of violence, raising concern that the portal may have been hit by a cyberattack.

Late on Saturday night (31 October), visitors found that the site was no longer showing its usual news. It displayed a photograph of a police officer, various scenes of violence and an image carrying a political statement. One message read, “Police, no matter how much you beat us, can you forget 5 August?” Music could also be heard playing in the background when the site was opened.

At the time, these images and messages had replaced the portal’s main news and other regular content. Later attempts to open the DMP News website found it inaccessible. This has raised the question of whether someone gained unauthorised access to the site.

However, no official statement had been received from DMP authorities on whether the website was hacked or who might be behind it.

According to the introduction on its website, DMP News is the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s own online news outlet. The portal publishes information on the capital’s law and order situation, crime news, police operations and activities, and public awareness material.

Attempts were made to reach several officials of the DMP media division by phone, and text messages were also sent. By the time of writing, none had responded. As a result, the source of the political message displayed on the site and the actual cause of the incident remain unconfirmed.