Zakir Hossain in Dhaka
Tensions escalated across Dhaka University and Jagannath University on Thursday as students staged mass protests over the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammyo and alleged police violence.
At Dhaka University, students enforced a complete shutdown of academic and administrative activities, rejecting the administration’s call for a half-day mourning. Shahriar, a postgraduate student of the Institute of Education and Research and Literary Secretary of Chhatra Dal’s Sir AF Rahman Hall unit, was stabbed to death Tuesday night at Suhrawardy Udyan following a motorcycle dispute.
Protesting under the banner Students Against Terrorism, students locked down the Arts Building and Faculty of Social Sciences, demanding the resignation of the Vice Chancellor and Proctor. A protest rally was held at Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture in the evening.
Chhatra Dal activists separately demonstrated outside the VC’s residence, demanding justice. Shahriar’s brother filed a case at Shahbagh Police Station, which led to the arrest of three suspects—Tamim Hawlader, Palash Sardar, and Samrat Mallik—identified as drug-influenced hawkers. “They were under the influence of drugs during the incident,” said Shahbagh OC Khalid Mansur. The accused were sent to jail, and a seven-member probe committee has been formed.
Meanwhile, Jagannath University students continued their protest for a second day at Kakrail, demanding housing scholarships, full budget approval, and implementation of a second campus project. The agitation intensified after police allegedly attacked students on May 14. Teachers joined the protest, with Professor Rais Uddin of the Teachers’ Association announcing an indefinite suspension of academic activities. “The police attacked us indiscriminately.
From now on, no classes or exams will be held,” he said. “No one can harm my students in front of me.” Protesters added a fourth demand: an investigation into the police action and punishment of those responsible. Many students spent the night on the streets, vowing to continue the movement until all demands are fulfilled.