At least 14 leaders and activists of Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) allegedly attacked journalists of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) inside Shahbag Police Station on Thursday night.
The attack took place around 8:00 PM while journalists were on duty covering an assignment, leaving at least 10 reporters injured.
Video footage analysed later identified ten attackers and four others who could not be identified, along with several alleged instigators linked to JCD.
The injured include DUJA President Manjur Hossain Mahi of Kaler Kantho, General Secretary Liton Islam of Agameer Shomoy, Niemur Rahman Emon of Daily Observer, Khalid Hasan of Desh Rupantor, Shamsuddoza Nabab of Dhaka Tribune, Mohammad Iftekhar Hossain Sifat of Dhaka Mail, Harun Islam of Naya Diganta, Sourav Islam of Risingbd.com, and Asaduzzaman Khan of Manabzamin, among others.
Those identified as directly involved in physical assault include:
Sajjad Hossain, a 2018-19 session student of the Department of Geography and Environment and resident of Bijoy Ekattor Hall, who was seen kicking journalists lying on the ground. He had earlier contested as a JCD-backed candidate for vice president of the same hall in the 2025 DUCSU and hall union elections.
Sanin Sayeed, a 2022-23 session student of the Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology and resident of Shahid Sergeant Zahuru Huq Hall, who was seen kicking and slapping journalists during the attack. He was a JCD-backed candidate for executive member of his hall.
Zubayer Ahmed, joint general secretary of DU JCD and a 2015-16 session student of the Department of Geography and Environment, was seen pushing and striking journalists.
Saikat Morshed, vice president of DU JCD and a 2012-13 session student of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was also seen physically assaulting journalists.
Ash Shams, a 2025-26 session student of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), was seen entering the crowd and attacking journalists in multiple video clips.
Aman Ullah, vice president of DU JCD and a 2011-12 session student of the Department of Finance, was present at the scene and seen moving alongside attackers, though he was not clearly observed striking anyone directly.
Johin Ferdous Jami, a 2021-22 session student of the Department of International Relations, was seen restraining an injured journalist following the attack, according to footage reviewed.
Sayeed Hasan Sad, joint convener of Bijoy Ekattor Hall JCD and a 2022-23 session student of the Department of Sanskrit, was also seen charging toward journalists during the incident.
Junaed Abrar, member secretary of Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah Hall JCD and a 2022-23 session student of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, was seen participating in the initial phase of the attack.
Rizvi Alam, assistant organising secretary of Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall JCD and a 2020-21 session student of the Department of Political Science, was also identified in footage as being present and involved in aggressive movement toward journalists.
In addition to those identified, four more individuals were seen actively participating in the assault but could not be confirmed at the time of reporting.
Journalists say at least six others acted as instigators without directly engaging in physical violence. Among those named are Abu Zar Ghifari Ifat, convener of Muhsin Hall JCD; Mansur Rafi, member secretary of Mohsin Hall JCD; Monowar Hossain Pranta, convener of Surjo Sen Hall JCD; former DU JCD school affairs secretary Shafi Obaidur Rahman Samith; and activists Momitur Rahman Piyal and Karib Chowdhury.
DUJA leaders said the group allegedly provoked bystanders and created a hostile environment prior to the attack.
The association said the attack followed a pattern of intimidation, alleging that journalists had been threatened and harassed at university halls a day earlier by JCD activists.
DUJA has demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved, calling the attack an organised assault on press freedom.
Police have yet to issue a detailed public statement on the identities of those allegedly involved, while investigations are ongoing.
NRE/AM
