Photo: BSS

DHAKA, May 14, 2025 (BSS) - The Dhaka University authorities have declared one-day mourning in response to the tragic murder of its student Shahriar Alam Shammo, who was stabbed to death inside Suhrawardy Udyan last night.

"In honour of Shammo's memory, Thursday will be observed as a day of mourning, with all academic activities halted for half the day," DU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Chowdhury told media at the university's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban this afternoon.

The VC came up with the announcement after holding a meeting with officials from different ministries, which was also attended by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, adviser to the ministries of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports.

In the meeting, a number of decisions- including permanently closing the gate behind Raju Memorial Sculpture, launching regular drives starting from tomorrow, forming a joint security raid team, forming a monitoring committee and ultimately transforming Suhrawardy Udyan into a modern park- have been taken in response to the incident.

Other decisions include establishing a dedicated police box, restricting public movement inside Udyan after 8pm, enhancing lighting and bringing the whole Udyan under CCTV surveillance.

The VC said, "To ensure students' safety, the gate behind the Raju Sculpture will be permanently closed, and Suhrawardy Udyan will be equipped with CCTV cameras and transformed into a smart park, modelled after Ramna Park."

"A dedicated police box will be set up by the DMP to provide constant monitoring of the park area. The university will collaborate in this initiative by engaging faculty members from different departments as liaison personnel," he added.

Prof. Niaz also announced the formation of a special security raid team to conduct regular patrols inside Suhrawardy Udyan.

"Although we have carried out security raids in the past, they were not continued long-term. As a result, we could not ensure sustained safety. This new team will include members from both DMP and the university's proctorial body," he said.

"Our concerns about security are longstanding," the VC said, adding, "But now, with coordinated support, we are taking concrete steps to protect our students and the environment of the campus."

Despite administrative limitations, the VC said the university is doing its utmost to address security concerns. "We are maintaining regular communication with Shammo's family, and the police investigation is progressing. Three suspects have already been arrested, and efforts are underway to apprehend the others," he said.

"From our very first week in office, we have prioritised campus security, but given the complex geography of Dhaka University, we have faced multifaceted and long-standing challenges," he said, adding, "Suhrawardy Udyan does not fall under the university's jurisdiction; rather, it is managed by the Public Works Department (PWD)."

He said, "Despite our limitations, we took realistic steps in response to students' demands. While we've seen some progress, we haven't always received full cooperation from all relevant agencies."

He added, "As DU is an open public space, we face scrutiny when trying to control outsiders' access. Despite our sincere intentions, many actions have remained out of our reach."

On the issue of drug control on campus, the Vice-Chancellor said, "We are doing our best, but we need a broader consensus involving all student organisations and stakeholders. On fundamental matters like these, unity is essential."

DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Saima Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, Treasurer Prof Dr Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed were also present at the press conference.

Alam Shammo (25), hailing from Ullapara in Sirajganj, was a student of the Institute of Education and Research (2018-19 session) and a resident of Room 222 of Sir AF Rahman Hall.

Shammo, the literary and publication secretary of the AF Rahman Hall unit of Chhatra Dal of Dhaka University, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants on campus late Tuesday.

The incident took place on the road adjacent to the Muktamanch area of Suhrawardy Udyan.

Ashraful Islam Rafi, a fellow student, said he and Shammo were riding his motorcycle near Suhrawardy Udyan when it collided with another bike. This led to an altercation and a scuffle. At one point, unidentified individuals stabbed him in the right thigh before fleeing.

Critically injured, Shammo was taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead after midnight.