Chhatra Dal expresses regret over attack on journalists in Shahbagh

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has expressed regret over an incident in which several members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association were injured while covering news at Shahbagh Police Station in the capital on Thursday night.

In a Facebook post on Friday morning, Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said an “unfortunate incident” occurred on Thursday at Shahbagh Police Station, adjacent to the Dhaka University campus, following what he described as a “controversial social media post”.

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He claimed that tensions escalated between JCD activists and alleged mob groups linked to both open and ‘Gupta’ (covert) Shibir elements, during which journalists were injured while performing their professional duties.

“I sincerely express regret on behalf of Chhatra Dal,” he wrote, adding that the organisation believes in the protection of journalists and freedom of the media.

He also acknowledged the role of journalists in past political movements, saying their contribution against authoritarian rule had been significant.

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Nasir expressed hope that no journalist would face harassment in the future while carrying out professional responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal activists allegedly attacked at least 10 journalists while they were covering the situation at Shahbagh Police Station on Thursday night.

Those injured include the president and general secretary of the newly formed committee of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association, who are also reporters of Kaler Kantho and The Daily Star respectively, along with journalists from The Daily Observer, Desh Rupantor, Dhaka Tribune, Dhaka Mail and Manab Zamin.