The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has responded to the circulation of an image showing a protester being held by police, allegedly involving Md Masud Alam, Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Ramna Division.

In a statement shared on its verified Facebook page, the DMP said:

“An image, apparently generated with artificial intelligence (AI), has been spread across news outlets and social media, drawing our attention. It is clear that this was deliberately created to mislead the public. A closer review confirms the picture is entirely AI-generated and does not reflect any real event.”

The clarification comes a day after engineering students staged demonstrations in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area. The protesters attempted to march toward the chief adviser’s residence but were blocked by police using batons and tear gas. Student groups claimed that around 50 protesters were injured, while the home ministry reported eight policemen were hurt.

Eyewitness accounts from journalists on the ground, including photojournalist Orchid Chakma, describe police clashing with demonstrators near the InterContinental Hotel. According to them, officers advancing from Minto Road forced students back toward Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, during which one protester was physically restrained. Multiple photographers reported capturing that moment, before water cannons were used to scatter the crowd.

When contacted, DMP Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman said:
“Our verification shows that no such event occurred. If certain photographers claim otherwise, that is their responsibility. As far as we are concerned, the incident did not take place.”