The teachers, students and journalists of Jahangirnagar University yesterday demanded punishment of JU unit Bangladesh Chhatra League leaders and activists allegedly for beating up and assaulting some three journalists of the university.
Sources said Jahangirnagar University Journalists Association (JUJA) formed the human chain around 12pm in front of “Amor Ekushe” sculpture to raise their voice against journalist harassment in the university while JU Teachers Association (JUTA) President Prof Khabir Uddin, general secretary Prof Mafruhi Sattar, JU Student Welfare and Advising Centre Director Prof Rasheda Akhter were present.
JUTA President Prof Khabir Uddin said they were against all kinds of terrorism in the university. Condemning the attack on journalists he demanded punitive action against the attackers.
JUJA President Joni Alam, General Secretary Mamunur Rashid, Vice President Nazmus Sakib alleged that Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders and activists in the university are regularly getting involved in appalling activities and causing trouble to the university journalists.
Demanding exemplary punishment against the assaulters, JUJA Vice President Nazmus Sakib said: “Chhatra League leaders and activists lock in clashes and vandalise university properties; they attack journalists who try to do their job.”
The protesting journalists also threatened to boycott media coverage of BCL in the university if authorities and JU unit BCL fail to punish the guilty. The protesting journalists later submitted a memorandum to JU Vice Chancellor Prof Farzana Islam demanding punitive action against the assaulters and a safe campus for the journalists, sources said.
On Tuesday afternoon, BCL leaders and activists of Mir Mosharrof Hossain Hall beat up Alamgir Mizan, a university reporter of an online news portal, when they were locked in a clash with activists of AFM Kamaluddin Hall over the share of money from a university tender. Two other journalists including JU assistant proctor Sikder Md Zulkernine were assaulted when they protested the attack.
