Extortionists Assault Journalists Returning from a Programme
Media Safety Concerns Grow After Narsingdi Violence, PEC Seeks Probe
Dhaka/Geneva: At least twelve Bangladeshi journalists were injured when their bus was attacked by extortionists in Narsingdi district on the evening of January 26, 2026, prompting police action, condemnation from media rights groups and renewed concern over the safety of journalists ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state-run news agency, the journalists were returning to Dhaka after attending a social programme organised by the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh when the incident occurred. The bus was stopped near the Palash–Narsingdi road, under the jurisdiction of the Palash police station, at around 8:30 p.m., where a group of local extortionists demanded money from the passengers in the name of toll collection.
When the journalists refused and protested against the illegal demand, an argument broke out. The attackers then assaulted them with locally made sharp weapons and blunt objects, leaving at least twelve reporters injured. Panic spread among passengers, including family members travelling with the journalists.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported that the injured were immediately taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital. Hospital authorities later confirmed that all twelve journalists were in stable condition. Two were treated for head and arm injuries and kept under observation overnight, while the remaining victims were discharged after receiving first aid.
Local residents intervened during the attack, forcing the assailants to flee. Traffic on the busy road was briefly disrupted before police arrived at the scene.
Narsingdi Superintendent of Police (SP) Miraj Uddin Ahmed said a formal case had been registered under relevant sections of the Bangladesh Penal Code, including provisions related to extortion, unlawful assembly and causing grievous hurt.
“Two suspects have been arrested so far, and operations are continuing to detain the remaining members of the group. No one involved in violence against journalists will be spared,” the police official said.
The Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh condemned the attack and demanded immediate legal action against the perpetrators. In a statement issued in Dhaka, the Association said the assault was a direct attack on press freedom and called for stronger protection for journalists, particularly during the election period.
“The journalists were targeted simply for refusing extortion. This is an alarming sign for media safety in the country,” the statement said, urging authorities to ensure security for reporters travelling to and from professional events.
The global media safety and rights organisation Press Emblem Campaign also denounced the incident and urged Bangladesh’s interim government to conduct a transparent and speedy investigation.
“It is deeply unfortunate that election-bound Bangladesh continues to witness violence against journalists,” said Blaise Lempen, President of the Press Emblem Campaign. “In Narsingdi, reporters resisted an extortion attempt and were brutally attacked. Such acts are unacceptable in any democratic society.”
Press Emblem Campaign South Asia representative Nava Thakuria confirmed that police had arrested two accused persons and that search operations were underway to apprehend the remaining attackers. He stressed that swift prosecution was necessary to deter future assaults on media professionals.
The attack comes at a sensitive political moment as Bangladesh prepares for its 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026, under an interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus. The caretaker government has pledged to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections and to maintain law and order across the country.
The incident follows the killing of journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi, aged 45, on 5 January, which was reported as the first journalist murder recorded globally in 2026. Media organisations and civil society groups have since warned of a deteriorating security environment for reporters, especially those covering crime and corruption.
Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of more than 170 million people, has witnessed periodic attacks on journalists, particularly in district towns where criminal networks and local influence overlap. Media watchdogs have long argued that weak enforcement and delayed justice contribute to a culture of impunity.
The Press Emblem Campaign urged Dhaka authorities to take exemplary legal action against those responsible for the Narsingdi attack and to strengthen institutional safeguards for journalists ahead of the elections.
“The safety of journalists is inseparable from the safety of democracy,” the organisation said, adding that protecting reporters is essential for transparency, accountability and public trust during a crucial electoral phase.
As investigations continue, the Narsingdi assault has emerged as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Bangladeshi journalists. It has intensified calls for concrete measures to ensure their security in the run-up to the national polls.
– global bihari bureau
