10 journalists injured in attack at JnU Journalists’ Association office

At least 10 journalists were injured today when activists of the Jagannath University (JnU) unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) allegedly attacked the office of the university’s journalists’ association on campus.

Witnesses said that around noon, more than 100 JCD leaders and activists stormed the Jagannath University Journalists’ Association (JnUJA) office at Abakash Bhaban and attempted to force the journalists present to leave. When the journalists resisted, the attackers allegedly assaulted them.

The injured include Junaed Sheikh, JnU correspondent of Kaler Kantho, Sakerul Islam of Jugantor, Jannatun Naim of Bangladesher Khobor, and Mushfikur Rahman Emon of Shomoyer Alo.

They received primary treatment at Dhaka National Medical Institute Hospital.

The victims alleged that JnU JCD Convener Mehedi Hasan Himel led the attack.

Junaid Sheikh, a journalist of Kaler Kantho injured in the attack, said, “Other journalists and I were all inside the office when over a hundred activists of Chhatra Dal came to the association and launched an unprovoked attack on us.”

Denying the allegation, Himel claimed that Islami Chhatra Shibir activists tried to take control of the journalists’ association and carried out the assault.

“Our leaders and activists were not involved. We were downstairs at the time,” he said.

Chhatra Shibir's JnU unit Secretary Abdul Alim Arif said that during the attack, he went there and tried to stop both sides, but instead, the leaders and activists of the Chhatra Dal attacked him.

JnUJA General Secretary Limon Ahmed alleged that most CCTV cameras on campus were turned off just before the incident.

Earlier, on March 3, Chief Election Commissioner of the JnUJA election, Prof Anwarus Salam, announced the schedule, with nomination papers due on March 5 and voting set for March 8.

Terming the incident “very unfortunate”, Vice-Chancellor Prof Rezaul Karim said an investigation committee would identify those involved and take necessary action.

He added that the JnUJA election has been suspended for now, and a coordination committee will be formed to ensure a fair election in the future.