Four journalists among 10 injured in alleged Chhatra Dal attack at RU

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

The incident took place around 8:30pm in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, according to eyewitnesses and journalists present at the scene.

The injured journalists include Nur Ahsan Mridul, Rajshahi University correspondent of The Daily Star and president of Rajshahi University Reporters’ Unity; Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy; Arifuzzaman Korban of bdnews24.com; and Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal. They were taken to the university medical centre for treatment.

Eyewitnesses said a group of Chhatra Dal leaders and activists marched from the university’s Transport Market area towards the hall around 8pm. They allegedly went there looking for looking for Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Union General Secretary Ariful Islam.

Some of them were allegedly carrying machetes, hockey sticks, pipes and baseball bats.

When university Proctor Professor Mahbubur Rahman reached the scene, the Chhatra Dal leaders and activists hid the weapons, according to eyewitnesses.

Later, when Samakal and Ajker Patrika correspondents approached to record video after seeing the weapons again, the Samakal correspondent was allegedly beaten with a stick and an attempt was made to snatch the Ajker Patrika correspondent’s mobile phone.

The bdnews24.com correspondent was also allegedly attacked. The proctor later took the journalists inside the hall and closed the gate.

When other journalists arrived after hearing about the attack, Mridul and Zahidul were allegedly assaulted. Zahidul sustained an injury to his head.

The attackers also allegedly threatened journalists who came forward to protect their colleagues.

According to eyewitnesses, those allegedly involved in the attack included RU Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib, Joint General Secretary Hasibul Islam, Vice-President Shariful Islam and Assistant Office Secretary Shahriar Alam. They said at least 10 Chhatra Dal leaders and activists took part in the attack.

RU Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi said he had informed the organisation’s central leadership about the incident and that action would be taken against those responsible.

RU Proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman said the university authorities had failed to bring the situation under control, alleging that police personnel had left the scene after being called.

The incident reportedly stemmed from a Facebook dispute between RU Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib and assistant cultural secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) Rakibul Islam over a post concerning RUCSU General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar.

Habib alleged that Rakibul used abusive language about his mother and sister in a comment on the post. Rakibul, however, claimed that Habib had threatened to assault him and asked about his whereabouts. Both later made posts on social media presenting their respective accounts of the dispute.

Rakibul stayed in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall from 10am to 5pm on Saturday. Later, Habib went there with several Chhatra Dal activists, some of whom were allegedly carrying baseball bats. They announced that they would remain there until 10pm.

Later, hall unit General Secretary Ariful Islam criticised Chhatra Dal in a Facebook post, accusing its members of carrying locally made weapons and being involved in violence on campus.

Eyewitnesses alleged that Chhatra Dal activists returned to the hall area with weapons on Sunday night before the attack on journalists.

Chhatra Dal forms probe committee

Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said in a statement that a two-member committee had been formed to investigate the incident.

The committee is headed by ABM Ejazul Kabir Ruel and Manzurul Alam Riyad, both vice-presidents of the Chhatra Dal central committee.

The statement said the committee had been directed to conduct a proper investigation and submit a written report to the central committee within 24 hours.