Shammo murder: JCD again blocks Shahbagh

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) yesterday staged a protest amid rain at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital, demanding justice for the murder of Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Shammo.

Following their previously announced schedule, Chhatra Dal leaders and activists began the blockade around 3:30pm. As a result, vehicular movement through the intersection came to a complete halt. The protest ended around 5:15pm.

Their demands included justice for Shammo's murder, the resignation of the vice-chancellor and proctor, and ensuring a safe campus.

JCD Central President Rakibul Islam Rakib, General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, and leaders from Dhaka University, Dhaka Metropolitan North and South, and other units were present at the protest.

At the demonstration, Rakibul Islam Rakib alleged delays in the arrest and judicial process related to Shammo's murder.

He said they have not received any assurance about whether the three people arrested are actually the real culprits.

"If they are not the real killers, why haven't the actual murderers been arrested?" he asked.

The JCD president claimed that the murders of Shammo and Parvez were not isolated incidents and alleged that Awami League members are targeting and killing Chhatra Dal leaders and activists.

"We want a safe Bangladesh. If the interim government cannot ensure public safety, they should step down," he said.

Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said six days have passed since Shammo's murder, but the real killers have yet to be arrested. "Law enforcement has failed to inform us about the exact reason why Shammo was killed," he said.

Nasir also condemned a statement issued by Chhatra Shibir regarding Shammo's murder.

"By raising questions regarding Shammo's presence at Suhrawardy Udyan late at night and making claims that he was addicted to drugs, Chhatra Shibir has lost their credibility," said Nasir.  

"They are trying to assassinate Shammo's character. We will not tolerate such comments regarding his murder," he said.

He reiterated Chhatra Dal's demand for the resignation of the Dhaka University administration over its failure to ensure campus safety.

Earlier, on Sunday afternoon, Chhatra Dal had blocked Shahbagh intersection for nearly two hours, protesting "negligence" in the investigation of Shammo's murder and demanding swift arrest and trial of the "real" killers.

On the night of May 13, Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University, was stabbed by a group of individuals at Suhrawardy Udyan. He was later rescued by classmates and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where he was declared dead.

A murder case was filed with Shahbagh Police Station in this connection.

Police later arrested three individuals -- Tamim Hawladar, 30; Samrat Mallick, 28; and Palash Sardar, 30 -- in separate operations. They were sent to jail after being produced before a court on May 14. On May 17, the court granted a six-day remand for the three accused.

Meanwhile, the case has since been transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.