An evening operation by the Ramna Zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police at Suhrawardy Udyan sparked controversy on Monday after journalists and a Dhaka University student were allegedly assaulted during what police described as an anti-drug drive.

The operation began around 7:30pm, according to police. Ramna Zone Deputy Commissioner Masud said seven to eight people were detained while about 60 to 70 police personnel took part in the drive.

“We didn’t arrest that many today—the aim was mainly to deter them,” Masud said.

Those injured included Kawsar Ahmed Ripon, a multimedia reporter for Ajker Patrika; Tofayel Ahmed, a multimedia reporter for Banglanews24; Nayem Uddin, a student of Dhaka University; and a police constable.

Ripon alleged that police first assaulted his colleague Tofayel and then beat him when he intervened. “I asked why they were hitting him. After that, they took my phone and started beating me as well,” he said.

Separate video footage circulating online shows anthropology student Nayem Uddin being beaten by police following an argument. Nayem said he and his friends had been at the park discussing an event titled Bahu-Bhashar Sandhya and encountered police while leaving.

“They searched us and found nothing. Then they accused us of arguing with them. During that conversation, one officer suddenly grabbed me, dragged me inside, and beat me. My friend was also assaulted,” Nayem claimed.

He further alleged that his phone was seized and that he was held at a police station for a prolonged period without being allowed to contact anyone.

Explaining the operation, DC Masud said it was part of a routine anti-drug drive. “By 8 or 9 at night, the park is largely empty. People sit in dark areas, and such operations are conducted regularly. Today’s was simply on a larger scale,” he said.

Masud claimed that a small group of officers became separated from the main team and encountered several DU students allegedly smoking marijuana, leading to a scuffle. He also alleged that a sharp object—commonly carried by drug users—was used to strike a constable above the eye, causing a serious injury.

Regarding the journalists, Masud said officers initially failed to identify one of them as a reporter due to the absence of a visible press ID. “We didn’t realize he was a journalist because he had nothing around his neck,” he said.

The journalists, however, insisted the assault was intentional.

Masud said he later spoke with the journalists to defuse the situation. “I’ve discussed the matter with them. Had senior officers been present, this wouldn’t have happened,” he added.

In total, three DU students and three to four others were detained. Police said those who “argued back” were primarily taken into custody. The students were later released after representatives from the university proctor’s office intervened, while the remaining detainees are expected to be produced before a mobile court.