A probe committee at Rajshahi University (RU) on Friday recommended suspending four students over an attack on journalists at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall on the campus on 4 October. 

The committee has also recommended further investigation into allegations against four other students before deciding on action and issuing warnings to three others.

RU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Md Faridul Islam disclosed the recommendations while presenting the investigation report to journalists at the VC’s conference room. He said the university administration received the report around midnight on Thursday.

After meeting with journalists, the vice-chancellor has directed the committee to submit its report within 72 hours.

The committee recommended suspending Ahsan Habib, vice-president of the RU unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD); Hasibul Hasan, joint general secretary of the unit; Ariful Islam, general secretary of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union; and JCD activist Bishal Chakraborty, the VC said.

It recommended further investigation into allegations against Rakibul Islam, assistant cultural affairs secretary of the RU Central Students’ Union (RUCSU); Takbir Ahmed Emon, vice-president of the RU JCD unit; Syed Sajharul Islam, joint general secretary of the unit; and JCD activist Tanim Rahman before taking any action.

The committee also recommended issuing warnings to Bulbul Rahman and Shariful Islam, vice-presidents of the university’s JCD unit, and Shahriar Alam, assistant office secretary.

On 4 October, journalists were allegedly attacked while performing their professional duties in front of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall on the campus. At least 10 people, including four journalists, were injured.

Following the incident, the university administration formed a five-member probe committee to identify those involved.