A group of students from the Economics Department at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia allegedly assaulted three campus journalists during a clash on Saturday afternoon.
The incident took place adjacent to the university's Teachers-Students Cultural Centre (TSCC) during a match between students from the 2020–21 and 2022–23 academic sessions.
The victims were identified as Arif Billah (Amader Barta), Robiul Alam (Ajkaler Khabar), and Nur E Alam (Barta-24).
According to eyewitnesses, a physical altercation broke out between the two groups of students. As the journalists began filming the scuffle, a group of students confronted and assaulted them.
Afsana Parvin Tina, a student from the 2020–21 session, allegedly snatched Arif Billah’s phone and incited others to attack. Soon after, several students, including Nahid Hasan, Minhaj, Sourov Datta, Sabbir, and Panna (2020–21), along with Saiful Islam, Rakib, Hridoy, Moshiur Rahman Rion, and Ozil (2022–23), joined in the assault.
Arif Billah stated, “While I was performing my professional duties, Tina took my phone without warning.
When I asked her to return it, a group of students attacked me without provocation.”
He added that when Nur E Alam began filming the assault, he too was attacked by another group of 10–15 students. “Even in the presence of university officials and other journalists, the attackers showed no restraint,” he said.
Robiul Alam was also beaten after arriving at the scene. Witnesses confirmed that he was punched and kicked until he fell to the ground.
Eyewitness Ishtiaq Ferdous Emon recounted, “As soon as another journalist started recording the attack, the students warned him to stop. When he refused, they kicked him, he said.”
Afsana Parvin Tina and Nahid Hasan, however, could not be reached over the phone despite repeated attempts for their comments in this connection.
IU Economics department chairman Dr. Partho Sarathi Laskarsaid that he heard about the incident but was not aware of the full details.
They would review the matter and take appropriate action after discussions, he added.”
IU proctor Professor M Shahinuzzaman said that he went to the scene soon after receiving the incident.
Legal action would be taken if any complaint was filed to him in this connection, he added.
