Three days after a case was filed over a violent attack on campus journalists at Rajshahi University (RU) reportedly carried out by leaders and activists of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), police are yet to make any arrests.
The university administration has drawn intense criticism for filing the case against unidentified individuals at Motihar Police Station, despite the attackers – members of the university’s JCD unit – being identified through video footage, media reports, and political expulsions.
The assault took place at around 8:30pm on Sunday at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, where JCD activists equipped with local weapons attacked journalists. At least 10 people were injured in the assault, with four journalists sustaining serious injuries.
The four injured reporters are Noor Ahsan Mridul, RU correspondent for The Daily Star; Jahidul Islam, correspondent for Agamir Somoy; Arif-uz-Zaman Korban, RU correspondent for bdnews24.com; and Mainul Islam Raju, correspondent for Samakal.
‘Forced to sign complaint’
Adding to the controversy, the complainant, Md Monir Hossain, deputy registrar of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, claimed that he was forced by the hall provost to sign the complaint without knowing its contents.
Monir Hossain, who filed the case on Monday (5 October), stated that the hall provost instructed him to go to Motihar Police Station merely to sign the document.
“I was forced to sign the complaint. I know nothing about the case,” Monir said, explaining that he discovered the accused were listed as unidentified people only while signing, and that the provost mentioned being under pressure from higher authorities.
When asked about the progress of the investigation, Investigating Officer Mostak Ahmed confirmed that no arrests have been made so far, adding that police are currently investigating the matter and will share details upon completion.
Key attackers identified
Video footage and media reports have linked several RU unit Chhatra Dal leaders and students directly to the assault.
Those whose names have emerged include M Ahsan Habib, Vice-President of RU Chhatra Dal (Department of Law, 2013-14 session); Hasibul Islam Hasib, Joint General Secretary of RU Chhatra Dal (Department of History, 2017-18 session); and Bishal Chakraborty (Department of Economics, 2021-22 session).
Also named for their alleged involvement are Shahriar Alam Othi, Assistant Office Secretary of Chhatra Dal (Department of Music, 2019-20 session); Shariful Islam, Vice-President of Chhatra Dal (Department of Anthropology, 2013-14 session); Takbir Hasan Imon, Vice-President of Chhatra Dal (Institute of Business Administration, 2017-18 session); and Syed Sajharul Islam, Assistant General Secretary of Chhatra Dal (Department of Management, 2019-20 session).
Victims slam administration inaction
Condemning the university administration’s handling of the situation, injured victim and bdnews24.com RU correspondent Arif-uz-Zaman Korban said, “The hall administration filed a case against unidentified persons, whereas those who beat us that day are regularly posting on Facebook without any remorse.”
He added that the accused are spreading propaganda framing the journalists as members and covert operatives of Chhatra Shibir.
Korban further noted that although Chhatra Dal expelled some of the accused over the incident, the university administration continues to turn a blind eye. “There is no guarantee that they will not attack us again, and we are currently living in fear of fresh attacks,” he said.
