Cops profiling journos, artists

The police’s Special Branch (SB) has been collecting information on the political affiliations, social media handles, and personal information of journalists and cultural personalities in the capital.

This is according to a letter dated May 18, 2026, signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Kamruzzaman of the city branch’s east division, addressing the zone in-charges of several Dhaka neighbourhoods, including Motijheel, Demra, Shyampur, Sutrapur, Paltan, and Sabujbagh.

The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the letter.

The letter instructed local police officials to gather and submit detailed personal background profiles on journalists and cultural personalities within their jurisdictions by yesterday.

The letter was sent in reference to an earlier directive from the Open Source Intelligence Branch given on May 14.

The police were directed to furnish information including the name and address, educational qualification, political identity or affiliation, whether or not they have any profession outside of journalism, the political background of their families, and their social media handles.

They were also asked to list any adverse information about the journalists and cultural personalities.

Several SB officials who had received this letter confirmed the letter’s authenticity to The Daily Star.

“We received the letter, but we have not yet submitted our list because it is a very complicated task. The information collection is ongoing,” said a zone-in-charge wishing anonymity.