Various organisations of journalists condemned attacks by Bangladesh Chhatra League activists on two journalists covering anti-Modi protest on the Dhaka University campus on Thursday.
The injured journalists are Asif Himadri, Dhaka University correspondent of Daily Prothom Alo, and Abid Hasan Rasel, the university correspondent of Bangla Tribune.
Journalists’ organisation at various universities including Dhaka University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Comilla University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, Dhaka College and others condemned the attack and demanded exemplary punishment of the attackers.
In a statement on Friday, Dhaka University Journalists Association President Mehedi Hasan and General Secretary Sazzadul Kabir issued said, “… Attacks on journalists are an extreme threat to independent journalism. Such attacks will recur if the culprits are not punished.”
They noted that Himadri said he was attacked by Chhatra League leaders, including central Vice President Mijanur Rahman Pikul, Salimullah Muslim Hall unit General Secretary Milon Hossain and others attacked.
Chhatra League leaders including Bangabandhu Seikh Mujibur Rahman Hall unit’s International Affairs Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Jahurul Haque Hall’s Joint General Secretary Amir Hamza, Bangabandhu Hall’s Deputy Cultural Secretary Tansen Seikh, Bijoy Ekattor Hall’s Office Secretary Majharul Islam Tamim attacked Rasel, the statement added.
Journalists’ organisations said that they would start an intense movement if the attackers are not arrested immediately.
The students of Dhaka University’s mass communication and journalism department will arrange a human chain on Sunday morning at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on the campus protesting against the attack.
BCL activists attacked Himadri in front of VC Chattar around 7pm on Thursday. Rasel came under attack around 5:30pm. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College for treatment. Later, Himadri was admitted to Dhanmondi’s LabAid Hospital.
At least 20 people were injured after BCL activists attacked the leftist progressive student alliance on Fuller Road, said Anik Roy, a former general secretary of the student union.UNB
