Journalists working at Rajshahi University (RU) and students of its Department of Mass Communication and Journalism began a sit-in at the main entrance of the university administration building today (5 October), demanding the arrest of Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal leaders accused of attacking journalists.
The protest began around 7pm and was continuing when this report was filed.
Siddiqur Rahman Khan, a third-year student of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, said the university administration had failed to provide assurances of legal action despite considerable time having passed since the incident.
“We will not allow a culture of fear to take root here. We want those who have been identified to be brought under the law,” he said.
Shakibul Islam, finance secretary of the RU Journalists Association, demanded that those responsible be identified, prosecuted and expelled from Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal.
He also demanded that those involved be barred from entering the campus and that adequate security be ensured.
Questioning the authorities’ role, he asked why police and university officials had failed to prevent the attack despite the presence of a police outpost and several assistant proctors on campus.
Around 100 journalism students and journalists took part in the sit-in.
The protest follows an attack on journalists in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall on Sunday night, allegedly led by Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib.
Around 10 people were injured in the incident, including four journalists – bdnews24.com RU correspondent Arifuzzaman Korban, Agamir Shomoy correspondent Zahidul Islam, The Daily Star correspondent Nur Ahsan Mridul and Samakal correspondent Mainul Islam Raju.
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