Staff Correspondent

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Tuesday staged protests at Dhaka University (DU) seeking justice for the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a DU student and a leader of the organisation. 

Shammo, a student of the 2018–19 sessions at the Institute of Education and Research, and Literary and Publication Secretary of Chhatra Dal’s AF Rahman Hall unit, was stabbed to death by a miscreant at Suhrawardy Udyan near the campus.

The rally which began at the base of the Raju Sculpture paraded through the Central Mosque, Madhu’s Canteen, and the Arts Building, ending in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence with a brief gathering.

Leaders and activists from various JCD units including Dhaka University, New Market Thana, Titumir College, and Kobi Nazrul College participated in the rally.

Addressing the gathering, Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir demanded the resignation of the DU Vice-Chancellor, Proctor, and the Home Affairs Adviser, holding them responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation on and around the campus.

“As the chief guardian of the university, the Vice-Chancellor cannot escape responsibility for this murder. His failure has been exposed by two violent incidents in quick succession after the student movement. The Proctor must also resign,” Nasir said.

“We also call for the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser as another student named Parvez from a private university was recently killed in a similar knife attack. These incidents shows a collapse of public safety,” he added.

Following the Zuhr prayers, Shammo’s namaz-e-janaza was held at the university’s central mosque.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, Treasurer Prof M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and Proctor Associate Prof Saifuddin Ahmed attended the funeral along with DU teachers and students.

BNP’s Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Student Affairs Secretary Rokibul Islam Bakul, Shammo’s elder brother Anwaruzzaman Sagor, and several Chhatra Dal leaders and activists were also present.

Later, Shammo’s body was taken to his ancestral home in Sirajganj for burial following a second funeral prayer, family members said.

Dhaka University has declared Thursday (May 15) as a day of mourning.

Academic activities will remain suspended for half the day, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan announced at a press conference.

The university administration also held an emergency meeting attended by representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Department of Narcotics Control, and relevant DU departments.

Several decisions were taken regarding safety measures in and around Suhrawardy Udyan.

A seven-member investigation committee, led by Faculty of Arts Dean Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, has been formed to probe the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its findings within three working days.

Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khalid Mansur said three were arrested in connection with the murder.