Two journalists have been attacked while filming students taking an open-university exam with textbooks open on their desks at Kajipur Degree College in Gangni upazila, Meherpur. They were also allegedly robbed of their mobile phones and held in a room for nearly an hour.
The incident occurred at the Kajipur Degree College examination center on Friday, August 28. The journalists attacked were Rabbi, Meherpur district correspondent for Nagorik TV, and S.M. Tariq, district correspondent for the daily Khaborer Kagoj.
The journalists allege that several students taking an open-university exam were found with textbooks open on their desks during the test. When the journalists tried to film this, they were attacked by a group led by college teacher Monirujjaman Biplob. Their mobile phones were snatched, and they were later held in a room for nearly an hour.
After being released, journalists Rabbi and S.M. Tariq went to Gangni Upazila Health Complex for initial treatment.
The incident has sparked anger among local journalists, who are demanding a proper investigation, the swift identification and arrest of those involved in the attack, and guarantees for journalists’ safety.
Meanwhile, questions have also been raised over whether students were allowed to take the exam with open textbooks. Those concerned are calling for an investigation into whether any teacher, hall supervisor or other exam-center staff was negligent in their duties if such an incident did occur.
Alongside the allegations of an attack on journalists, the seizure of their mobile phones and their confinement, there are also calls for swift administrative investigation and effective action over the exam-center irregularities.