The journalists were informed that Shibir activists posted posters on hall walls asking students to contact the hall unit Shibir president for enrolling their names in the voter list and collect national identity cards (NID).

Johaer Ibne Kalim, RU correspondent of daily Jugantor and photojournalist Abdullah Iqbal went to the hall at about 12:00 noon to confirm it.

The posters bearing Shibir's name and logo asked the students to contact the occupants at room no 226 to get their names enrolled in the voter list and collect NIDs.

Sources said hall unit Shibir President Mobarak Hossain used the room. Shibir cadres Farhad Saimum, Abul Kalam Azad, Russel and four outsiders also stayed at the same room.

Shibir cadres from the room swooped on the journalists as photojournalist Iqbal took snaps of the posters without their permission.

Later, they took the journalists to the provost's room and kept them confined for three hours. They also snatched cameras, notebooks and mobile phones from the journalists.

When other journalists rushed to the scene hearing the news, Shibir cadres hurled abusive words at them and assaulted daily Samakal RU correspondent Meherul Hasan Sujon and Bhorer Kagoj RU correspondent Salauddin Muhammad Sumon.

On information, the hall provost, house tutors and police officials rushed to the spot and rescued the confined journalists at about 3:00 pm.

Shibir cadres misbehaved with journalists in presence of the law enforcers. At one stage they chased the journalists while the policemen remained inactive, said eyewitnesses.

"RU administration is not aware of the fact that students are being registered in the voter roll at the Shibir president's room", said Hall Provost Prof Nurul Islam.

"We shall look into the matter and take proper steps in this regard", said RU Proctor Prof Dr Enamul Haque.

Nazim Uddin Ahmed, the assistant registration officer of ward no 30, confirmed that no RU student had been appointed as enumerator.

"Enumerators from outside are going to the halls for enrolling the students in the voter roll", he said.

Ferdous Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Motihar police station, said that the police are investigating the matter.

RU unit Shibir President Delwar Hossain Sayidi told the journalists that Shibir has neither any connection with the posters on voter list nor the incidents involving the journalists.