Dhaka: Two journalists from Jahangirnagar University (JU) are planning to travel abroad for medical treatment after sustaining severe injuries during a student protest in July. Mehedi Mamun, a postgraduate student in the English department and a correspondent for Daily Bonik Barta, and Abdur Rahman Sarjil, a student in Media and Journalism Studies and a correspondent for Dainik Bangla, were both injured by police firing while covering the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement on campus.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the two journalists were hit by approximately 50 pellets each during the protest, which has left them in chronic pain. Despite receiving treatment in various hospitals across the country, not all the pellets could be removed, prompting doctors to recommend further medical intervention abroad.
The student movement, marked by its opposition to the dictatorial government, saw significant participation from JU students, including campus journalists. These journalists faced threats and int
imidation from the Chhatra League and the pro-AL administration but continued to report from the front lines. The journalists were the first to be injured during a violent clash on the night of July 15, when Chhatra League activists and police attacked the protesters.
Mehedi Mamun recounted the events of that night, describing how he was caught in the crossfire while holding his journalist identification card. Despite a major operation in July that removed some of the pellets, Mamun continues to suffer and is advised to seek treatment abroad. Similarly, Sarjil, who suffered injuries from 70 pellets, was initially treated at Enam Medical College Hospital but still requires further medical care.
The movement drew attention to the critical role journalists played, with Towhid Siam, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at JU, acknowledging their contribution. Despite their efforts, Siam expressed disappointment over the lack of proper recognition for journalists’ sacrifices during the protest
s.
University authorities, including JU Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor Sohel Ahmed and Dr. M. Mahfuzur Rahman, praised the journalists’ bravery and announced initiatives to provide medical assistance to those injured in the movement. The university is working to ensure that the contributions of these journalists are not forgotten when the history of the movement is documented.