Attack on Journalists at RU. No Probe Committee Formed Even After 14 Hours.

Md. Sohel Rana, Rajshahi Correspondent ​Demands for lawsuit and arrest against the accused; administration assures committee formation once the VC returns in the afternoon. ​Even after 14 hours have passed since the attack on journalists at Rajshahi University (RU), the university administration is yet to form an investigation committee. The incident took place on Sunday around 8:30 PM in front of the university's Shahid Ziaur Rahman Hall, leaving four journalists severely injured and several others hurt. ​Following the attack, the journalists demanded that the administration file a lawsuit, arrest the accused, and ensure punitive action. Later, when the university administration assured that a case would be filed by tomorrow, the journalists temporarily stepped back from their protest program. However, they announced a human chain demonstration in front of the university's Rabindra Bhavan today at 11:00 AM. ​Journalists expressed outrage over the fact that no investigation committee had been formed even 14 hours after the incident. Addressing the issue, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr. Mamunur Rashid stated that Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Faridul Islam is currently away from the campus. The probe committee will be formed upon his return in the afternoon. ​Professor Dr. Mamunur Rashid said, "The VC sir is not on campus right now. He will arrive in the afternoon, after which the investigation committee will be constituted." ​Allegations have been raised against several leaders and activists, including Ahsan Habib, vice-president of the university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, regarding Sunday night's attack. However, comments from the accused could not be immediately obtained. ​The journalists injured in the attack include Arif Uz Zaman Korban (university correspondent for bdnews24.com), Jahidul Islam (correspondent for Agamii Shomoy), Nur Ahsan Mridul (correspondent for The Daily Star), and Mainul Islam Raju (correspondent for Dainik Samakal). ​In protest against the attack, the journalists have demanded that the university administration file a case against the accused, ensure their arrest by 12:00 PM, cancel the student status of those involved who are current students, and revoke the certificates of those who have already completed their studies. ​Additionally, they demanded a ban on any accused individuals who are not university students from entering the campus.