Shammo murder: DU students, teachers ramp up protests

Dhaka University campus witnessed waves of protests yesterday as demonstrations continued for the fifth consecutive day, demanding the arrest of the killers of university student Shahriar Alam Shammo.

Students, teachers, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) held separate programmes on the campus.

Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research of the 2018–19 session, also the literature secretary of the JCD's Sir AF Rahman Hall unit.

He was stabbed to death near Suhrawardy Udyan on May 13.

Since May 14, students and teachers have been demonstrating.

Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal block the Shahbagh intersection yesterday afternoon, demanding justice for the murder of fellow Chhatra Dal leader and Dhaka University student Shahriar Alam Shammo. Photo: Orchid Chakma

While holding a meeting with DU vice-chancellor and representatives of teachers and students, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said yesterday that the case would be handed over to the Detective Branch of police.

"The home advisor said he was informed by the law ministry that a special tribunal will be handling the case," said Neil M Nahian, a friend of Shammo, who was present at the meeting held at the Secretariat.

Around 4:00pm, JCD leaders and activists staged a protest rally at Shahbagh intersection, halting traffic in the surrounding areas until around 5:30pm, when they concluded their demonstration.

Addressing the rally, JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir demanded the resignation of vice-chancellor and proctor of DU, saying they must be held responsible for their negligence that led to Shammo's killing.

Photo: Mahathir Mohammed

JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said two people initially detained by the police in connection with the murder were later released, raising questions.

"The real perpetrator must be identified and brought to justice."

Alongside the Dhaka University JCD unit, activists from Jagannath University, Tejgaon College, Dhaka College, Titumir College, and various other educational institutions under Dhaka-based and Dhaka Metropolitan JCD units participated in the demonstration.

Earlier in the day, JCD's DU unit staged a black flag procession and protest rally, demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and proctor for their "failure to ensure campus security".

Students and teachers from Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research (IER) besieged Shahbagh Police Station for about an hour and a half, demanding the arrest of Shammo's killers.

The demonstration began around 12:20pm. They ended the programme at 1:45pm after assurances from police officials of intensifying investigations.

DU VC Niaz Ahmed Khan and Proctor Prof Saifuddin Ahmed expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.

Meanwhile, teachers from Dhaka University, under the banner of the "White Panel", a pro-BNP teachers' platform, also issued a 48-hour ultimatum to identify and arrest those responsible for the murder

They warned of launching a tougher movement if their demand is not met within the stipulated time, from a human chain held at the foot of Aparajeyo Bangla.

"Shammo did not die a natural death--he was brutally murdered. Even after five days, the real perpetrators remain at large. Instead, a token arrest has been made to mislead us, which is unacceptable," said Professor Md Morshed Hasan Khan, convener of the White Panel.

"We urge the university administration and the home ministry to bring the actual killers to justice. Otherwise, we will be compelled to take stern action."