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 a case will be filed against those accused in connection with the incident.
The Chhatra Dal central committee announced the formation of the panel in a statement issued on Sunday night. The committee comprises its 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 said it would take legal action against those accused following demands from journalists on the campus.
RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Abdul Alim said university officials went to the scene immediately after receiving information about the incident. They also spoke to journalists and students present there. According to him, 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. Members of the RU Chhatra Dal have been accused of assaulting journalists after objecting to video recording during their activities on the campus.
Four journalists were seriously injured, while more than 10 others were reportedly hurt. Jahidul Islam, a representative of Agamir Shomoy, suffered a head injury in the incident.
The other seriously injured journalists were Arifuzzaman Korban, RU correspondent for bdnews24.com; Noor Ahsan Mridul, correspondent for The Daily Star; and Mainul Islam Raju, correspondent for Samakal. More than 10 journalists were reportedly injured altogether, with several 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 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 at around 8pm as part of a procession.
Eyewitnesses 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 Chhatra Dal activists. 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 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, according to accounts from those present, apparently as tensions escalated and concerns grew over their safety.
When other university journalists arrived after hearing about the assault, The Daily Star correspondent Noor Ahsan Mridul and Agamir Shomoy correspondent Jahidul Islam were allegedly attacked. 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’ those who tried to intervene.
The incident has prompted demands from campus journalists for immediate legal action against those responsible. The university administration has responded by announcing plans to file a case, while the Chhatra Dal central committee has launched its own organisational investigation.
The two parallel processes are now expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those responsible and determine what action should be taken based on the findings. Until the investigations are completed, the allegations against the individuals named in connection with the incident remain allegations.
