Anonymous case filed over JCD attack at RU, journalists protest

The university administration has filed a case against unidentified accused over the attack on journalists at Rajshahi University (RU). Monir Hossain, deputy registrar of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, filed the case with Motihar Police Station on Monday.

Motihar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Golam Kabir confirmed the matter, saying, “We have started working on it. We will investigate and take necessary action.”

However, journalists at the university expressed anger over the filing of a case against unidentified accused. They also issued an ultimatum for the attackers to be arrested by 7pm.

They demanded that those involved in the attack be identified and arrested promptly, and that the university administration take visible and effective action against them.

Irfan Tamim, former president of the Rajshahi University Journalists Association, said, “There is no ambiguity about who was involved in the attack. There is video footage of the incident, and the names, positions and identities of those involved have also been published in various media outlets. Even then, filing a case against unidentified accused is extremely disappointing. We clearly demand that the accused be named in the case and that they be arrested and brought to justice immediately.”

Earlier on Sunday night, leaders and activists of the RU unit of Chhatra Dal attacked journalists and students with locally made weapons, leaving at least 10 people injured, including four journalists who sustained serious injuries.

Teachers, students hold human chain

Earlier, at around 11:30am, teachers and students took part in a human chain organised by the university’s Department of Mass Communication and Journalism.

They said the administration’s inaction had given self-styled student activists the opportunity to attack the journalists. They demanded exemplary punishment, including arrest, expulsion and cancellation of certificates of those involved in the attack.

Meanwhile, the department is observing a class boycott in protest against the attack on journalists.

Those who spoke at the human chain included Professor A-A Mamun, Professor Mozammel Hossain Bokul and Professor Mashiur Rahman, Associate Professor Kazi Mamun Haider Rana, former Rajshahi University Journalists Association president Irfan Tamim, Rajshahi University Press Club president Ashikul Islam, Rajshahi University Reporters Unity treasurer Din Islam, master’s students Farzana Tanbi and Mahmudul Hasan, and third-year student Tasin Siddika Rupa. 

Allegations of CCTV footage being deleted

Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced against Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leaders and Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Provost Dr Mahbubur Rahman for deleting CCTV footage from the scene following the attack.

The journalists concerned alleged that important evidence was deleted to conceal the involvement of those responsible for the attack.

According to the journalists, an important portion of the incident should have been captured by CCTV cameras in front of the hall, but the footage was later unavailable. 

However, denying the allegation, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Provost Mahbubur Rahman said the CCTV connection had been disconnected because renovation work was underway at the time. “So there is no footage. The allegation that the footage was deleted is completely false,” he said.

RU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Dr Abdul Alim said the information had been preserved.

“Anyone can make allegations. There is no shortage of documents. The investigation committee is collecting information from wherever it needs to,” he said.