According to reports published by several Bangladeshi newspapers on 19 August 2026, the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. at the District Police Lines in West Medda, Brahmanbaria. The injured students reportedly received treatment at Brahmanbaria District Sadar Hospital.
The Brahmanbaria District Police had reportedly organised a cultural programme at the Police Lines during the visit of Chattogram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Quddus Chowdhury. Students of the nearby madrasa reportedly requested that the volume of the music be reduced because they had examinations the following day.
According to the students, the volume was initially reduced but later increased again, leading to an argument with police personnel. The situation reportedly escalated when more than one hundred students entered the Police Lines premises, after which police resorted to a baton charge.
Subsequent reports indicate that three police personnel were withdrawn from duty and a three-member investigation committee, headed by an Additional Superintendent of Police, was formed to investigate the incident.
JMBF considers the reported injuries extremely serious. While law-enforcement authorities have a legitimate responsibility to maintain public order, any use of force must be lawful, necessary, proportionate, and subject to accountability.
The reported entry of more than one hundred students into the Police Lines should form part of the investigation, but it cannot by itself justify unnecessary or disproportionate force. The conduct of all parties should be examined objectively through CCTV footage, video recordings, eyewitness testimony, medical evidence, police records, and other relevant materials.
The incident raises serious concerns under the Constitution of Bangladesh and Bangladesh's international human rights obligations, including protections relating to security and physical integrity and safeguards against cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
JMBF therefore seeks your urgent intervention to ensure a prompt, impartial, transparent, and independent investigation; accountability for anyone responsible for excessive or unlawful use of force; adequate treatment and remedies for injured students; preservation of relevant evidence; and protection of victims and witnesses from intimidation or retaliation.
While JMBF acknowledges the withdrawal of three police personnel and the formation of an investigation committee, these measures must be followed by a credible and effective accountability process.
JMBF kindly requests that a copy of any action taken in response to this appeal be shared with our office.
In solidarity,
SAMPLE LETTER
To
Subject: Urgent Appeal for Prompt and Independent Action Over Police Baton Charge Reportedly Injuring Madrasa Students at Brahmanbaria Police Lines
Dear Prime Minister,
Greetings from JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).
JMBF, a France-based international human rights organisation founded on the principles of the United Nations Bill of Rights, respectfully draws your urgent attention to the reported police baton charge on students of Jamia Darul Arqam Al-Islamia Madrasa at the Brahmanbaria Police Lines on 18 August 2026.
According to media reports, the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. after students of the nearby madrasa requested that the volume of music being played at a police cultural programme be reduced because they had examinations the following day.
An argument reportedly developed between the students and police personnel. The situation escalated when more than one hundred students reportedly entered the Police Lines premises, after which police resorted to a baton charge. At least 23 students were reportedly injured and received medical treatment.
Subsequent reports indicate that three police personnel were withdrawn from duty and a three-member investigation committee was formed.
JMBF recognises the responsibility of the Bangladesh Police to maintain public order. However, any use of force must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, restraint, and accountability.
The circumstances leading to the confrontation, the conduct of individual students, and the actions of police personnel must therefore be independently and objectively investigated.
The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials require law-enforcement officials, as far as possible, to use non-violent means before resorting to force and to exercise restraint whenever force becomes unavoidable.
In this context, JMBF respectfully urges you to:
- Ensure a prompt, impartial, transparent, effective, and independent judicial investigation into the incident;
- Determine whether the police use of force was lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and identify those responsible for any excessive or unlawful use of force;
- Initiate appropriate criminal or departmental action against anyone found responsible, in accordance with the law and due process;
- Preserve all relevant evidence, including CCTV footage, videos, police records, duty rosters, medical records, and eyewitness testimony;
- Ensure adequate medical treatment, support, and effective remedies for the injured students;
- Protect injured students, witnesses, madrasa authorities, journalists, and others cooperating with the investigation from intimidation, harassment, or retaliation;
- Make the investigation findings public, subject to legitimate protections;
- Strengthen police training and accountability mechanisms concerning de-escalation, crowd management, and the proportionate use of force; and
- Provide adequate financial compensation to victims who suffered unlawful or excessive use of force, and ensure that they face no further harassment, intimidation, or retaliation.
JMBF acknowledges the reported withdrawal of three police personnel and the establishment of an investigation committee. However, these measures should be the beginning, rather than the conclusion, of the accountability process.
JMBF respectfully calls upon the Government of Bangladesh to ensure a credible investigation and appropriate accountability for any unlawful conduct.
JMBF kindly requests that a copy of any action taken concerning this matter be shared with our office.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
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