Jatiya Chhatra Shakti condemns repeated attacks on journalists

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti has strongly condemned a series of attacks allegedly carried out by Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders and activists on journalists at various educational institutions, including Rajshahi University (RU) and Dhaka University (DU), and demanded the immediate arrest of RU Chhatra Dal leader M Ahsan Habib.

The organisation also called for the identification of everyone involved in the attacks and exemplary punishment under the law.

The demands came in a press release signed by Sardar Nadim Mahmud Shuvo, office secretary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, on Monday.

According to the release, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists ambushed journalists while they were carrying out their professional duties in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall at RU on Sunday night.

The release alleged that the attackers, led by RU Chhatra Dal vice-president M Ahsan Habib, attacked the journalists with locally made weapons, including ramdas, chapatis and baseball bats.

Several journalists, including representatives of Samakal, The Daily Star, bdnews24.com and Daily Agamir Shomoy, sustained injuries in the attack, the statement said. It also claimed that several ordinary students were seriously injured during the incident.

Jatiya Chhatra Shakti also referred to an earlier attack on journalists while they were performing their professional duties inside Shahbagh Police Station in Dhaka.

The organisation described the alleged attacks on journalists at different campuses, from DU to RU, as attacks on free media and independent journalism.

"The recent attack at Rajshahi University is a continuation of attempts made at different times to suppress the voices of journalists on campuses," the press release said, adding that attacks on journalists were unacceptable and that the authorities should take immediate legal action against those responsible.

The organisation further alleged that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's alleged attempt to establish control over the media, along with repeated attacks on journalists by Chhatra Dal leaders and activists, reflected what it described as a continuation of their "old political culture".

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Jatiya Chhatra Shakti also said that following the student uprising, educational institutions should not provide any scope for "terrorist, armed or occupying politics".

The organisation called on university administrations and relevant authorities to take effective measures to protect the rights of journalists and students to express themselves freely and ensure the safety of life and property on campuses. It also demanded that all those involved in the Rajshahi University attack, including the alleged leaders of the assault, be identified and arrested promptly and brought to justice.