4 journalists among 10 injured in Chhatra Dal attack at RU

At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured in an alleged attack by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists at Rajshahi University on Sunday night.

The incident reportedly took place in front of Ziaur Rahman Hall at around 8:30 PM.

The injured journalists were identified as bdnews24.com university correspondent Arifuzzaman Qurban, Agamir Shomoy correspondent Zahidul Islam, The Daily Star correspondent Nur Ahsan Mridul and Samakal correspondent Mainul Islam Raju. They were reportedly receiving treatment at the university medical centre.

According to eyewitnesses, a group of Chhatra Dal leaders and activists arrived at the Ziaur Rahman Hall gate from the university’s transport market in a procession, allegedly intending to confront Raksu Hall Parliament General Secretary Ariful Islam.

Eyewitnesses said some of the activists were carrying locally made weapons, including machetes, cleavers, hockey sticks and pipes. When the university proctor arrived after being informed of the situation, the activists allegedly concealed the weapons.

The journalists approached the area after seeing the Chhatra Dal activists carrying weapons and began recording the incident. At one point, a Samakal correspondent was allegedly beaten with a stick in the presence of the proctor. An activist also allegedly attempted to take away the mobile phone of an Ajker Patrika correspondent.

The bdnews24.com correspondent was subsequently allegedly assaulted, prompting the proctor to take the journalists inside the hall and lock the gate.

Other journalists arrived at the scene after learning about the incident. The Daily Star and Agamir Shomoy correspondents were allegedly assaulted, with Zahidul Islam sustaining a head injury.

The alleged attackers included Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib, Joint General Secretary Hasibul Islam, Vice-President Shariful Islam and Assistant Office Secretary Shahriar Alam Athis, along with several other activists, according to the eyewitnesses.

Rajshahi University Proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman said, “We failed to control the situation. We called the police, but they also left out of fear.”

The allegations could not be independently verified immediately.