<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) has voiced deep concerns over the enactment of the Cyber Security Act, by the Bangladesh Parliament, citing alarming clauses reminiscent of the Digital Security Act.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The journalist body voiced deep concern against Section 42 of the recently passed Cyber Security Act, which grants police the authority to conduct searches and arrests without requiring a warrant. Such a restrictive provision poses a significant impediment and threat to the freedom of expression, said the statement.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #121212;">President Mursalin Nomani and General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel conveyed these apprehensions on behalf of the DRU Executive Committee in a statement issued on Friday, reports news agency UNB.</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #121212;"><br />''</span></p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The statement said that the government proceeded with the enactment of the Cyber Security Act, disregarding opposition from the press community.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Despite widespread criticism, including concerns raised by journalists, the decision was made to replace the Digital Security Act with the Cyber Security Act, the statement said.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">DRU leaders expressed their worry that individuals with malicious intent from within society may exploit this law as a potent tool against media professionals, potentially obstructing journalists' ability to report freely and objectively.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />''</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">In light of these apprehensions, DRU leaders have demanded immediate amendments to rectify these perilous clauses, it added.</span></p>