CPJ calls for probe into attack on journalists at Rajshahi University

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Bangladeshi authorities to promptly and transparently investigate the October 4 attack on at least four journalists at Rajshahi University and prosecute those responsible.

Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the ruling BNP, allegedly beat campus correspondents for The Daily Star, Samakal, bdnews24.com and Agamir Shomoy with sticks and batons while they were covering an incident outside a residence hall, according to reports.

All four journalists were hospitalised following the attack while at least 10 other people were injured.

The university filed a police case against unidentified persons on October 5, despite reports that video footage shows those involved in the attack.

The CPJ said Bangladeshi authorities must ensure that journalists can report from university campuses safely and without fear of violence and hold those responsible to account.

The incident took place in front of Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall on the university campus at around 8:30pm on Sunday.

The seriously injured journalists are Jahidul Islam, correspondent of Agamir Shomoy; Nur Ahsan Mridul, correspondent of The Daily Star; Arifuzzaman Qurban, university correspondent of bdnews24.com; and Mainul Islam Raju, correspondent of Samakal. Several other journalists were also injured.

The attackers were university unit Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib, Joint General Secretary Hasibul Islam, Chhatra Dal Vice-President Shariful Islam, and Assistant Office Secretary Shahriar Alam. Eyewitnesses said at least 10 Chhatra Dal leaders and activists took part in the attack.

Yesterday, the central committee of JCD expelled three leaders and served show-cause notices on six others for allegedly violating organisational discipline following the attack.

Meanwhile, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) strongly condemned and expressed deep concern over the attack.

In a statement on Monday (October 5), the organisation called for justice irrespective of the political identity or influence of those involved in the attack.

The TIB also called on the leadership of the ruling BNP and the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami to undertake fundamental reforms and effective initiatives for “self-correction within their respective parties and affiliated organisations to end the violent struggle for asserting authority”.