Shammo killing: Chhatra Dal sit-in calls for resignation of DU vice-chancellor, proctor

The Dhaka University chapter of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has launched a sit-in demanding the resignation of the vice-chancellor and proctor, and justice for the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo.

Chhatra Dal activists held the demonstration in front of the vice-chancellor’s office after taking out a procession from the Hakim Chattar on campus around 12pm on Monday.

Slogans like “We want justice, justice for Shammo’s murder”, and “13 days on, no one knows anything” filled the air at the protest site.

Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra said, “It has been 13 days, and still there is no solution to Shammo’s murder.

“Shahriar Alam Shammo was on the frontlines of the mass uprising. This administration, formed after the mass uprising, has failed.”

He said, “Over the nine months of this administration, we have seen many things happen on campus, including the killing of Toffazzal Hossain, burning of fascist motifs, and hanging of bodies.

“This administration has not been able to catch these criminals and deliver any exemplary punishment.

“Alongside the resignation of this administration, we call for the exemplary punishment of those who are fabricating the narrative of Shammo’s murder.”

Nahiduzzaman Shipon, general secretary of the DU’s Chhatra Dal unit, said: “The lack of justice in Shammo’s murder case is not only unfair to a student leader, but it has also put the security of all students at risk.

“Kidnapping, stabbing, and murder are occurring regularly, yet the administration remains silent. We want a safe campus, and we want the immediate resignation of the vice-chancellor and proctor.”

The demonstration ended at 2 pm.

Shammo was stabbed at Suhrawardy Udyan around 11pm on May 13. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around midnight, where the doctor on duty declared him dead.

Shammo was a student in the 2018-19 academic year at the Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University. He was also the literature and publication secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of the BNP’s student front. He hailed from Sirajganj’s Belkuchi.

On May 14, his older brother Shariful Alam filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing 10 to 12 people. Police have detained six suspects in the case.

Earlier on Monday, the Dhaka University committee formed to investigate the murder submitted its report to the university administration.