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The shocking murder of Dhaka University student Shahriar Alam Shammo has once again brought to the fore concerns over students' security on the campus, the country's prime seat of higher education. Shammo, a master's student at the Institute of Education and Research (IER), was youthful, energetic, and politically active. He actively participated in the July-August uprising of 2024 and was visibly involved in organising the department's freshers' reception on Tuesday. Video footage of his vibrant participation in that programme has since circulated widely on social media.
Yet, by a cruel twist of fate, Shammo was brutally stabbed to death by a group of miscreants near Suhrawardy Udyan later that very night. Initial reports suggest the murder followed an altercation with a group of youths after his motorcycle allegedly collided with one of theirs. Police have arrested three suspects, whom they claim are drug dealers. However, many believe that it was a politically motivated murder. Regardless of the speculation, a thorough and impartial investigation is essential to uncover the true motive and ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.
In the aftermath of the incident, students have taken to the streets, demanding justice and even calling for the resignation of the Vice Chancellor. While the murder is reprehensible, it is important to recognise that Suhrawardy Udyan, where the incident occurred, falls under the jurisdiction of Shahbagh Police Station. It is, therefore, the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to ensure safety in and around this area.
The bigger question is this: how can a historically significant park, surrounded by prestigious institutions like Dhaka University, Bangla Academy, BSMMU, and the Bangladesh National Museum, continue to be a grey zone for drug dealers, addicts, petty criminals, and anti-social elements? Reports of criminal activity in and around the park are not new. What is shocking is that such activities continue to take place under the very nose of the police. The park remains poorly lit at night, further enabling illicit activities and discouraging public use.
Suhrawardy Udyan could have been a vital green space offering respite from urban chaos-congestion, noise, pollution, and stress. Instead, it has become a source of fear and discomfort. Drug abuse is rampant, garbage litters the walkways, and muggers lurk in the shadows. Much of its greenery has disappeared due to poorly planned infrastructure development. Thus, what could have been a place to relax and a sanctuary of nature has tragically been reduced to an extension of the city's concrete sprawl and criminal underbelly.
Let Shammo's murder be a wake-up call. It is imperative that Dhaka University's administration and the government address not only the security of the campus but also its surroundings. Shammo came to this institution to learn and grow, but left in a body bag. His family's grief is beyond words. Their loss is a tragic indictment of the system's failures.
In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing held a meeting with Dhaka University authorities on Wednesday and decided to permanently close the gate of Suhrawardy Udyan adjacent to the TSC, launch a coordinated operation to evict illegal shops, curb drug-related activities, and improve cleanliness. Besides, it was also decided to form a committee for regular surveillance, install adequate lighting and CCTV cameras, set up a dedicated police box, implement a structured management system modelled after Ramna Park, and restrict public entry after 8:00 PM. Many illegal shops and makeshift structures were evicted on Thursday as part of the measure.
Suhrawardy Udyan is not merely a public park-it is a part of the nation's history. Allowing the park to degrade into a hotbed of crime not only endangers public security, but also dishonours its historical significance. Shammo's death must not be in vain. It must be the starting point of a serious effort to reclaim its past heritage.