DUJA forms human chain, demands justice over Shahbagh Police Station attack

Office-bearers of Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) formed a human chain today, in protest against the attack on journalists inside Shahbagh Police Station on Thursday night while they were carrying out professional duties, and demanding justice and an environment for free journalism on campus.

The programme was held at 11:30am at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla on Dhaka University (DU) campus.

Alongside current DUJA members, former presidents, general secretaries and members of the association also joined the human chain.

Speakers at the programme demanded the immediate identification of those involved in the attack, formal registration of a case, legal action against the perpetrators, and disciplinary measures by the university administration.

The programme was attended in solidarity by Dhaka Union of Journalists President Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Executive Member Mohammad Abu Hanif, Editor of The Daily Campus and former DUJA president Mahbub Rony, bdnews24.com journalist and former DUJA president Masum Billah, The Daily Star journalist and former DUJA general secretary Sirajul Islam Rubel, former DUJA executive member Yamin Sajid, Bangladesh correspondent for China Global Television Network Hossain Tarek, journalist and fact-checker Qadaruddin Shishir, Dainik Edin journalist Sumanta Chakraborty, Al Jazeera journalist Mowdud Ahmed Sujan, and Dainik Gonojagoron journalist Md Abu Sayeed, among others.

Addressing the gathering, Shahidul Islam said, “Those who indiscriminately attacked and assaulted DUJA members that day must immediately be brought under the law and punished.”

“Journalists were there to perform their professional duties, but police failed to ensure their safety that day,” he added.

Mahbub Rony said, “The case over the attack on journalists by Chhatra Dal activists has still not been formally recorded. We demand and urge the police administration and all concerned to immediately accept the case, investigate it, and take action against those responsible.”

He added, “Those involved in the attack went to Shahbagh Police Station under the banner of Chhatra Dal. As an organisation, Chhatra Dal cannot evade responsibility for this attack.”

Sirajul Islam Rubel said, “The president and general secretary of DUJA went to Shahbagh Police Station yesterday seeking justice for the attack. They waited there for four hours, but the officer-in-charge could not be found in the station during that entire time.”

Former DUJA general secretary Motahar Hossain said, “Chhatra Dal has said it will take organisational action against those involved, and the university administration will also act against them. But instead of taking action, various propaganda campaigns are being carried out on social media against the journalists and the association.”

DUJA former joint secretary Mahadi Hasan said, “Both the university administration and law enforcement agencies are trying in various ways to delay justice over the attack on journalists. This delay tactic will not silence us.”

He added, “If our demands are not met swiftly, we will be compelled to announce tougher programmes.”

DUJA President Manjur Hossain Mahi said, “Some leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal obstructed us from performing our professional duties at Shahbagh Police Station. When we immediately protested, they attacked us. This is deeply unfortunate.”

“We have placed our demands before the university administration and law enforcement agencies, and I hope they will act quickly and take effective measures against those responsible,” he added.

DUJA General Secretary Liton Islam said, “The attack on journalists inside Shahbagh Police Station while carrying out professional duties is not only condemnable, it is a direct attack on free journalism.”

He added, “To ensure justice in this incident, the role of both the university administration and law enforcement agencies needs to be quicker and clearer.”