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RAJSHAHI: The administration of Rajshahi University has announced that it will file a case over an attack on journalists on the university campus. University journalists withdrew their protest programme late Sunday night after receiving assurances that the case would be filed by Monday.
However, they remain firm on several other demands, including the arrest of those involved in the attack, cancellation of their studentship, and resignation of the university officials allegedly responsible for failing to prevent the incident.
The attack reportedly took place around 8:30pm on Sunday in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, where activists of the Bangladesh Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal allegedly attacked journalists and students. At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured.
The injured journalists are Jahidul Islam, Rajshahi University correspondent of Dainik Agamir Somoy; Noor Ahsan of The Daily Star; Arifuzzaman of bdnews24.com; and Mainul Islam of Dainik Samakal.
The four journalists were initially taken to the university medical centre. Later, around 10pm, they were transferred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for further treatment.
Following the attack, university journalists began a sit-in protest in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, demanding that cases be filed against those involved and that they be arrested and punished.
After 10pm, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Abdul Alim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Mamunur Rashid and other university officials went to the spot. During discussions with the journalists, the administration announced that it would file a case against those involved.
Following the assurance, the journalists called off their protest around 1:15am, while warning that they would announce further programmes if the case was not filed within the promised deadline.
The journalists have also demanded that those involved in the attack be arrested by noon on Monday. They have called for the cancellation of the studentship of accused individuals who are current students of the university and the cancellation of the certificates of those who have already completed their studies.
They also demanded that individuals who are no longer students of the university be barred from entering the campus.
