Shammo Killing: Chhatra Dal Sit-In Demands Resignation of DU VC and Proctor

The Dhaka University unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal staged a sit-in on Monday, demanding the resignation of the university's vice-chancellor and proctor over the killing of student leader Shahriar Alam Shammo. The protest, which began with a procession from Hakim Chattar and ended in front of the VC’s office, echoed with chants demanding justice for Shammo, who was fatally stabbed at Suhrawardy Udyan on May 13.

Chhatra Dal’s DU President Ganesh Chandra criticized the administration for its inaction, saying, “It’s been 13 days, and there’s still no progress in solving Shammo’s murder. This administration, which came into office after the mass uprising, has completely failed.” He cited other incidents of campus violence, including the killing of Toffazzal Hossain and the hanging of bodies, accusing the administration of failing to bring perpetrators to justice.

Ganesh further demanded exemplary punishment for those “spreading false narratives” about Shammo’s death, alongside the administration’s resignation.

Echoing the demand, Nahiduzzaman Shipon, general secretary of DU Chhatra Dal, said the failure to ensure justice threatens the safety of all students. “Abductions, stabbings, and murders continue unchecked while the authorities remain silent. We want a secure campus, and we demand the immediate resignation of the vice-chancellor and proctor,” he said.

The protest concluded at 2 pm.

Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research from the 2018–19 session and literature and publication secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of Chhatra Dal, died shortly after being brought to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. His brother filed a case the next day accusing 10 to 12 unidentified people, and police have since detained six suspects.

Earlier on the day of the protest, a university-formed investigation committee submitted its report on the murder to the DU administration.