A campus correspondent for Channel 14, Asadul Alam, was physically assaulted inside his residential hall at Jahangirnagar University on Tuesday night before being handed over to law enforcement officers.
The incident occurred within the premises of Tajuddin Ahmad Hall, where Mr Alam was in his room. Witnesses reported that a crowd of students forcibly entered his living quarters. Reports from those at the scene suggest that members affiliated with Islami Chhatra Shibir were among the group. The intruders assaulted Mr Alam and destroyed his personal equipment, including his laptop and mobile phone.
Assailants justified the attack by claiming Mr Alam had ties to the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the former ruling political party. However, these claims of political affiliation have not been independently verified. Following the altercation inside the dormitory room, the group forced Mr Alam out of the residential hall and transferred him into the custody of officers from Ashulia Police Station.
Law enforcement sources indicated that preparations are underway to file charges against Mr Alam under the Cyber Security Act. Specific details regarding the statutory grounds, particular charges, or whether a formal case has been officially registered remain unconfirmed. Neither the Jahangirnagar University administration, the authorities at Tajuddin Ahmad Hall, nor Ashulia Police Station have issued formal statements concerning the security breach or the subsequent detention.
The event highlights growing concerns over extrajudicial actions and safety on Bangladeshi university campuses, where accusations of past political affiliation frequently spark violent confrontations. Media rights advocacy groups and academic circles have voiced alarm over the targeting of press workers, the destruction of professional equipment, and the practice of vigilantism replacing formal legal proceedings.
Stakeholders have called for a swift, impartial investigation to identify those responsible for the violence while ensuring that any legal allegations against Mr Alam are managed strictly through standard judicial channels.
