JCD attack on RU journos condemned

Violent confrontation at Rajshahi University (RU) triggered widespread criticism after video footage appeared to show Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists carrying locally made weapons ‘Ramda’ and attacking journalists covering an incident on campus.

Alleged attack took place on Sunday night near Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall while journalists were performing their professional duties. At least 10, including journalists and students, were reportedly injured.
Statements issued by the Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA), Samajtantrik Chhatra Front (Marxist), Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Jatiya Chhatra Shakti accused JCD activists of attacking journalists with weapons including machetes, cleavers, hockey sticks, iron rods, pipes and baseball bats.

Journalists reportedly attacked included Arif Uz Zaman Korban of bdnews24.com, Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy, Noor Ahsan Mridul of The Daily Star and Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal.

According to witnesses and reports from journalists at the scene, those allegedly involved included Ahsan Habib, vice-president of RU JCD; Hasibul Islam, joint general secretary; Shariful Islam, vice-president; and Shahriar Alam, joint office secretary. Witnesses said at least 10 JCD leaders and activists took part in the attack. RU JCD's president Sultan Ahmed Rahi said, incident was an ‘unwanted misunderstanding’ and promised an investigation, while Ahsan Habib, who was identified as one of the alleged participants, defended actions of JCD activists in a social-media post and accused some journalists of being ‘secret Shibir activists’. 

According to statements, JCD activists allegedly mauled journalists with sticks, attempted to take their mobile phones and continued attacking others who arrived at the scene. Several journalists were injured while attempting to document incident.

Incident drew particularly strong criticism from DUJA, which demanded the immediate identification, arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible.

DUJA president Md Manjur Hossain Mahi and general secretary Liton Islam said, attacks on journalists cannot be allowed to become routine on university campuses. 

DUJA recalled April 23 incident at Shahbagh Police Station in which it said at least 10 of its members were attacked while performing professional duties.

More than 5 months after that incident, DUJA said, an investigation committee formed by Dhaka University had yet to submit its report, while police had not accepted a case over the alleged attack.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) condemned the reported armed attack and death threats against journalists at Rajshahi University (RU), demanding an impartial investigation, accountability and protection for media personnel and students.

In a statement on Monday, TIB urged the ruling BNP and opposition Jamaat-e-Islami to pursue political reform and “self-purification” to rein in their organisations and end violent struggles for campus dominance.

Additionally, the latest incident prompted criticism from several student political organisations. Chattra Front called the attack ‘gut-wrenching’ and said violence against journalists was incompatible with a democratic university environment.

Chhatra Shibir also condemned alleged use of weapons on campus and demanded arrests, an impartial investigation and accountability for those who failed to prevent the violence.

Chhatra Shakti accused JCD activists of continuing a pattern of attacks on journalists and demanded the immediate arrest of Rajshahi University JCD leader Ahsan Habib and others allegedly involved.

JCD, however, announced its own investigation into the incident. They formed two-member committee headed by central vice-presidents A.B.M. Ejazul Kabir Ruel and Manzurul Alam Riyad and ordered to submit a written report within 24 hours. JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir issued the directive on Sunday.