RU journalists want BCL leader Susmoy expelled
Rajshahi University-based journalists yesterday demanded immediate expulsion of a leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) who allegedly assaulted a journalist the day before.
Around 60 journalists raised the demand through a human chain in front of the university's central library. More than 50 students of mass communication and journalism joined them while the left-leaning student organisations expressed solidarity with them.
On Saturday, BCL men beat up at least six students protesting the screening of commercial film “Dohon” in Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium.
At that time, RU BCL organising secretary Susmoy Zamil beat up Ali Younus Hridoy, a final-year student of mass communication and journalism, and RU correspondent of the daily Kholakagoj, when he and other journalists went there to cover the incident.
Susmoy denied the allegation on that day, but later he admitted he assaulted the journalist because he could not identify him at the moment.
Addressing the human chain, RU Reporters Unity president Shihabul Islam blamed the proctor for not taking any action against the BCL attackers although the whole incident occurred in his presence. He demanded expulsion of BCL leader Susmoy.
“If the proctor can't provide safety to the students, he must quit,” added Rabiul Islam Tushar, president of RU Press Club.
At the same event, RU Journalists' Association president Salekin Ahmed said the ruling party-backed student leaders and activists beat up three journalists on the campus in the last three years, but the university did not take any effective steps against anyone.
The journalists also threatened a tougher movement if the university authorities do not meet their demand, and declared to boycott all positive news about RU Chhatra League.
In the evening, victim journalist Hridoy submitted a written complaint to Proctor Prof Lutfor Rahman against the BCL leader and demanded expulsion.
Progotishil Chhatra Jote, whose members were primary victims of Saturday's BCL attack, brought out a procession demanding punishment for the accused.
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