BNP’s Rizvi suspects ‘political motive’ behind DU Chhatra Dal leader Shammo’s killing

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi suspects the killing of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student leader from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University chapter, is “politically motivated”.

Speaking at a human chain outside the National Press Club on Thursday, he said: “Shammo held an editorial post in Chhatra Dal’s Sir AF Rahman Hall unit. What was the reason? What wrongdoing did he commit?

“Police have arrested three vagabonds.”

Rizvi added, “But I believe there’s a political reason behind it. Without such a motive—who would kill him? With his handsome face, his name being Shammo—why would street drifters target him?”

The protest was organised by the Uttranchal Chhatra Forum to demand justice for Shammo, who hailed from Sirajganj.

Rizvi pointed to a Facebook post made by Shammo days before his death. “There was a movement in Shahbagh against the national anthem. He posted in support of the anthem.

“He also had a message for those who opposed it. Is that the reason?”

The BNP leader added, “Those who are in favour of the country, who stand against aggression, who support independence, the national anthem, the national flag — they are the ones losing their lives.

“That’s why I said, there must be some political motive here.”

He questioned, “Why are dead bodies still turning up on campus? Why is blood still spilled within university grounds? Why are there still bloodstains inside the campus?

“The Awami League’s allies are no longer around.”

Shammo, a student of the 2018–19 academic session at the Institute of Education and Research, was killed near Suhrawardy Udyan on Tuesday night.

He was the literary and publications secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of the BNP’s student front.

Rizvi said, “The way Shammo was killed gives us a glimpse of who his political enemies might be. Identify them and bring them to justice without delay. If not, the consequences will be dire.”

He called on police to conduct a proper investigation.

“You’ve arrested vagabonds, but people don’t take everything at face value. They would have, if this police department had always sought the truth and taken proper action.”