Online Desk 

At least 14 people, including four journalists, were injured after activists of the Rajshahi University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) allegedly attacked journalists and students with locally made weapons on the university campus.

The incident took place in front of Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall at around 8:30pm on Sunday (October 4).

The four seriously injured journalists were Arifuzzaman Qurban, Rajshahi University correspondent for bdnews24.com; Zahidul Islam, correspondent for Agamir Shomoy; Nur Ahsan Mridul, correspondent for The Daily Star; and Mainul Islam Raju, correspondent for Daily Samakal. Other injured journalists were also receiving treatment at the university’s medical centre.

According to eyewitnesses, several JCD activists marched from the Transport Market to the area in front of Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall around 8pm. Witnesses said some of them were carrying rods, pipes, machetes, hockey sticks, baseball bats and other locally made weapons.

The activists allegedly attacked the journalists when they approached to record the incident on video. Mainul Islam Raju of Samakal was allegedly assaulted first. Arifuzzaman Qurban of bdnews24.com and other journalists were subsequently attacked. Zahidul Islam of Agamir Shomoy reportedly sustained an injury to his head.

Eyewitnesses alleged that around eight people, including Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal Vice-President Ahsan Habib, Joint General Secretary Hasibul Islam, Vice-President Shariful Islam and Assistant Office Secretary Shahriar Alam Athis, were involved in the attack.

The incident reportedly originated from a comment on a Facebook post by Ahsan Habib concerning Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar.

Ahsan Habib alleged that Rakibul had used abusive language against his mother and sister in a comment on the post. Rakibul, however, claimed that Ahsan Habib had threatened to assault him and asked about his whereabouts. Both later made counter-posts on social media regarding the issue.

Eyewitnesses said several JCD activists accompanying Ahsan Habib were seen carrying baseball bats on Sunday afternoon. Tensions later escalated over their presence in front of Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall.

University Proctor Mahbubur Rahman was present at the scene during the incident. Later, efforts were made to take the journalists inside the hall for their safety.

Proctor Mahbubur Rahman said they had failed to control the situation. Although police were informed, he claimed that the police also left the scene while the situation was unfolding.

Rajshahi University Chhatra Dal President Sultan Ahmed Rahi said he had informed the central Chhatra Dal about the incident. He also said swift action would be taken against those involved.