The central committee of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has formed a two-member investigation panel following allegations that journalists were assaulted on the Rajshahi University (RU) campus. The university administration has also assured journalists that legal action will be taken against those accused of involvement in the incident.
The Chhatra Dal central committee announced the formation of the investigation panel in a statement issued on Sunday night. The committee comprises central vice-president A. B. M. Ijazul Kabir Ruel and Monjurul Alam Riyad.
Formed under the direction of central Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, the panel has been instructed to investigate the incident and submit a written report to the central committee within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the university administration has said it will file a case against those accused following demands from the campus journalists.
RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said they went to the spot immediately after learning about the incident and spoke to both journalists and students. He said the hall administration would file a case against the accused at around noon on Monday.
The incident took place at around 8.30pm on Sunday in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall. Chhatra Dal activists have been accused of assaulting journalists after objecting to video recording of their activities.
At least four journalists were seriously injured, while more than 10 others were reportedly hurt in the incident. Jahidul Islam, a representative of Agamir Shomoy, suffered a head injury and his head was reportedly cut during the assault.
Other seriously injured journalists include Arifuzzaman Korban, RU correspondent for bdnews24.com; Noor Ahsan Mridul, correspondent for The Daily Star; and Mainul Islam Raju, correspondent for Samakal. Several of the injured journalists are currently receiving treatment at the university’s medical centre.
The allegations have been levelled against RU Chhatra Dal vice-president Ahsan Habib, joint general secretary Hasibul Islam, vice-president Shariful Islam and assistant office secretary Shahriar Alam Othi, along with around eight to 10 other activists.
How the Incident Began
According to eyewitnesses and people present at the scene, Chhatra Dal leaders arrived at the gate of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall from the university’s Transport Market area with a procession at around 8pm.
The witnesses alleged that some of the activists were carrying sacks containing locally made weapons, including machetes, cleavers, hockey sticks, pipes and baseball bats. When the university proctor arrived after being informed about the situation, the activists allegedly concealed the weapons.
Later, journalists from Samakal and Ajker Patrika approached the area to record video of the activists and their activities. According to eyewitness accounts, the Samakal correspondent was allegedly beaten with sticks in the presence of the proctor. The Ajker Patrika correspondent was also allegedly confronted when activists attempted to take away his mobile phone.
At one point, the bdnews24.com correspondent was also allegedly assaulted. The proctor subsequently took the journalists inside the hall and locked the door in an attempt to protect them, according to accounts from those present.
When other university journalists arrived after hearing about the attack, The Daily Star correspondent Noor Ahsan Mridul and Agamir Shomoy correspondent Jahidul Islam were allegedly assaulted. Jahidul suffered a head injury in the incident.
Other journalists reportedly attempted to intervene and protect their colleagues. They were allegedly threatened during the confrontation, with RU Chhatra Dal vice-president Ahsan Habib accused of threatening to ‘bury’ them.
The incident has prompted demands from campus journalists for immediate legal action against those responsible. In response, the university administration has said a case will be filed, while the Chhatra Dal central committee has initiated its own organisational investigation.
The findings of the university administration’s legal process and the Chhatra Dal investigation are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the actions to be taken against those found responsible.
