10 Injured as Journalists Allegedly Attacked at Rajshahi University

At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured after journalists and students were allegedly attacked by leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at Rajshahi University on Sunday (October 4).

The incident took place around 8:30pm in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall. The four seriously injured journalists were identified as Arif Uzzaman Korban of bdnews24.com, Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy, Nur Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star and Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal. They were initially taken to the university medical centre before being transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.

According to witnesses and journalists present at the scene, reporters were taking photographs and videos after seeing some Chhatra Dal activists gathered with locally made weapons. The journalists were allegedly attacked while carrying out their professional duties.

Witnesses identified several Chhatra Dal leaders as allegedly being involved, including vice-presidents Ahsan Habib and Shariful Islam, joint general secretary Hasibul Islam and assistant office secretary Shahriar Alam.

Reports indicate that the incident followed a dispute on social media involving Chhatra Dal leader M Ahsan Habib and Rakibul Islam, assistant cultural secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union. Habib alleged that Rakibul made abusive comments about his family, while Rakibul claimed that Habib had threatened him and asked for his whereabouts.

Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal president Sultan Ahmed Rahi described the incident as an “unwanted misunderstanding” and said action would be taken after an investigation. Ahsan Habib, meanwhile, posted allegations on social media against some journalists, describing them as “undercover Shibir” activists. Those allegations remain his claims and are subject to investigation.

The university administration has announced that it will file a case over the incident. The central Chhatra Dal has also formed a two-member committee to investigate the allegations and submit a report within 24 hours.

Teachers and students have meanwhile protested at the university, demanding an independent investigation and action against those responsible.