December 1, 2024: A prominent woman journalist, Munni Saha, was mobbed and briefly detained by a group of people in the capital's Karwan Bazar area on Saturday, as tensions continue to rise in Bangladesh's political climate. Saha, a well-known TV personality, was leaving a media office when the crowd accused her of being an "Indian agent" and a supporter of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power following a popular uprising in August.

The mob intercepted Saha’s car, hurling abuse and accusations at her, prompting swift intervention from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Officers quickly arrived on the scene, rescuing the journalist and escorting her away in a police vehicle as the surrounding crowd continued to chant slogans against her.

Saha was initially taken to Tejgaon Police Station before being transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) office, sparking online speculation that she had been arrested. However, the police later clarified that she was not detained, but rather taken to the DB office for her safety. Authorities explained that during the ordeal, Saha experienced a panic attack and fell ill.

"Police did not detain Munni Saha. She was surrounded by a group of people at Karwan Bazar outside her office. Later, Tejgaon police took her to the DB office for security reasons," a police official told the Daily Observer, a local news outlet.

Despite the clarification, the incident has sparked concern about the safety of journalists in Bangladesh, especially in the wake of the recent political upheaval. Saha is reportedly an accused in four separate cases and is expected to appear in court to seek bail and comply with future police summons.

While the police did not comment on whether any action would be taken against the individuals involved in the harassment, the incident underscores a wider crackdown on the press in Bangladesh since the fall of the Hasina government. Journalists across the country have faced increasing scrutiny, with several facing legal troubles, accusations of bias, and threats of violence.

The caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has cancelled the accreditation of numerous journalists, further heightening fears about press freedom in the country. In recent weeks, protests have erupted outside the offices of major news outlets such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, with journalists accusing the authorities of silencing dissent.