Report sensitive events responsibly: Police HQ urges media

Police logo reverse

The Police Headquarters on Wednesday called on media outlets to exercise responsible journalism after the publication of images related to the police's obstruction of the anti-rape march in Dhaka.

Images published in various newspapers suggested that police obstructed the anti-rape march, which took place on Tuesday, without provocation, according to a statement from the Police Headquarters.

According to the police, a group of approximately 60 to 70 members from the platform "Bangladesh Against Rape and Oppression" attempted to march towards Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser. The group aimed to head towards Jamuna, but their progress was blocked by police at the Intercontinental Hotel intersection due to security concerns surrounding state-owned establishments.

Despite repeated requests from the police for the protesters to disperse in order to allow the smooth movement of vehicles and pedestrians, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, the situation escalated, it said.

According to the Police Headquarters statement, the protesters attempted to break through the police barricades, throwing bricks and attacking officers with sticks.

During this altercation, the Assistant Commissioner of the Ramna Zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) was seriously injured. Besides, five other police officers, including the Deputy Police Commissioner of the Ramna Division, sustained injuries.

The statement added that after the protesters launched an attack, the police responded in self-defence, a detail of which they believe was omitted in the published images of the incident.

The Police Headquarters emphasised the need for responsible journalism, criticising the publication of fragmented news and images that misrepresented the events.

The Police Headquarters also attached the video footage of the incident to support their version of the events and called on the media to report the facts accurately. - UNB