RU probe recommends temporary expulsion of four students over attack on hournalists

A probe committee at Rajshahi University (RU) has recommended the temporary expulsion of four students over an attack on journalists at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, while calling for further investigations into four others and warnings for three more.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Faridul Islam disclosed the recommendations at a press conference on Friday (October 9), saying the committee had submitted its report within 72 hours of the incident.

The four students recommended for temporary expulsion are Ahsan Habib, a law department student from the 2013-14 academic session and vice-president of the university’s Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal unit; Hasibul Islam Hasib, a history department student from the 2017-18 session and the organisation’s joint general secretary; Bishal Chakraborty, an economics department student from the 2021-22 session and a Chhatra Dal leader; and Ariful Islam, general secretary of the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall Students’ Union.

Ariful has also been accused of instigating the incident, according to the committee’s findings.

The committee recommended further investigation into Takbir Ahmed Emon, a student of the Institute of Business Administration from the 2017-18 session and a Chhatra Dal vice-president; Syed Sajharul Islam, a management department student from the 2019-20 session and the organisation’s joint general secretary; and Tanim Rahman, a student of the mass communication and journalism department and a Chhatra Dal activist.

Further investigation has also been recommended before taking action against Rakibul Islam, assistant cultural affairs secretary of the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), who has likewise been accused of instigating the incident.

The committee recommended warnings for university Chhatra Dal vice-presidents Bulbul Rahman and Shariful Islam, as well as assistant office secretary Shahriar Alam.

Faridul Islam said the report contained three categories of recommendations and that further investigation was needed in some cases. He urged all concerned to remain patient until the additional inquiry was completed.

Professor Rezaul Karim, head of the probe committee, said Ariful Islam and Rakibul Islam had played roles in instigating recent incidents. He said the committee had recommended action based on the evidence available against them.

The attack took place on Sunday at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Hall, leaving 10 people injured, including Noor Ahsan Mridul, The Daily Star’s university correspondent and president of the Rajshahi University Reporters’ Unity.

The university administration formed the investigation committee following the incident. Further action will be taken based on its recommendations.