The fact-finding committee formed to investigate violent attacks on the July-August protesters at the University of Dhaka from July 15, 2024, to August 5, 2024, said on Thursday that they identified 122 DU students who were allegedly involved in the violent attacks in the period.
The majority of them are leaders and activists of the banned organisation, Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The committee has recommended disciplinary action against the students.
The committee revealed the information at a press conference held at the meeting room adjacent to the vice-chancellor’s office at the DU premises on Thursday.
At the press conference, the full report was handed over to the university vice-chancellor, Niaz Ahmed Khan.
The fact-finding committee also said that the report would be presented at the next syndicate meeting for further action by the university authorities.
However, an opportunity for self-defence will be provided to the alleged attackers after publishing the full report, it said.
At the press conference, fact-finding committee convener Quazi Mahfuzul Haque Supan, an associate professor at the DU law department, said that the authorities would take institutional measures against the students.
According to the fact-finding committee, it also found the involvement of many former DU students in the attacks.
Regarding these individuals, the university authorities could consider cancelling their academic certificates in cases of serious offenses, it said.
Additionally, the committee identified several attackers from outside the campus.
The DU authorities will collaborate with their respective institutions to take necessary measures, according to the convener of the committee.
Quazi Mahfuzul stated that the violence involving students was categorised into three types: attacks on female students, attacks on the injured at the Dhaka Medical College emergency department and attacks on general students.
He said that the fact-finding committee conducted its investigation by analysing video evidences collected from general students, national and international media, and campus portals.
After receiving the fact-finding committee report, DU vice-chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan said, ‘The attacks on DU students during the mass uprising were a heinous act, not only in the history of the university but in the history of the country.’
The press conference was also attended, among others, by DU pro-vice-chancellor (administration) Sayema Haque Bidisha, treasurer Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and proctor Saifuddin Ahmed.