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The Dhaka University unit of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has led a black flag procession to demand justice for the killing of Shahriar Alam Shammo and the resignation of the institution’s vice-chancellor (VC) and proctor.
The procession, which started at the foot of the Anti Terrorism Raju Memorial Sculpture on the campus around 1pm on Sunday, passed through the VC Square and ended in front of the Faculty of Arts at the Oporajeyo Bangla sculpture, reports bdnews24.com.
The attendees chanted slogans protesting the investigation and arrests conducted by the police and the administration.
At a short rally after the procession, Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos said: “The Shammo who led from the front, calling Hasina ‘killer Hasina’ during the mass uprising last July is not with us today.
“The administration that was established from that blood – two murders have now been committed on campus under that administration. In addition, during your tenure, a fascist motif was burnt down at the Fine Arts faculty.”
Addressing the vice chancellor, he said: “You should formally apologise for your childish behaviour towards our Chhatra Dal brothers on the night of Shammo’s murder and ensure the resignation of the proctor on an urgent basis.”
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.
On Wednesday morning, his older brother Shariful Alam filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station, accusing 10 to 12 people.
Shammo was a student of 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 AF Rahman Hall Chhatra Dal. He hailed from Sirajganj’s Ullapara.
‘DO NOT ALLOW A FARCE IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE’
At 11am, another group of students took up positions at the foot of the Raju sculpture under the banner of “Bangladesh General Student Society” demanding justice for Samya’s murder. VC Niaz Ahmed Khan and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed Khan participated in the protest in solidarity.
There, Shammo’s brother Shariful said: “Do not allow a farce or delay to be conducted in the name of justice for my brother for the purpose of political gain. Moreover, no innocent person should be trapped in any way.”
VC Niaz said, “We have taken all necessary steps to arrest and quickly bring to justice the killers of Shammo and our efforts are continuing. Please be patient.
“We will meet with the home advisor today at 3 pm. We will discuss the progress in the case and ask for it to be resolved speedily.”
Afterwards, the students surrounded Shahbagh Police Station. A delegation of students entered Shahbagh Police Station, and Sub Inspector Asad spoke to them about the progress in the murder investigation.
He assured the students, “Our work is ongoing. We have almost identified everyone. I cannot say more now for the sake of investigation. Give us some time. I hope we will ensure the punishment of the accused.”
SADA DAL CONDUCTS HUMAN CHAIN DEMONSTRATION
The BNP-aligned teachers’ group Sada Dal held a human chain demonstration at the foot of the Oporajeyo Bangla statue at 11am to demand justice for Shammo’s murder.
They set a 48-hour deadline to find Shammo’s “real killers”.
Prof Morshed Hasan Khan, Sada Dal convener, said: “Shammo did not die, she was murdered. Today marks five days since Shammo’s murder.
“In these five days, we have seen an eyewash arrest - which we are not obliged to accept. We are making a strong demand to the university administration and the home ministry to find who the real killers are.”