Dhaka University has declared Thursday as a day of mourning, suspending all classes and examinations for half the day, following the killing of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research (IER) and publicity secretary at a university unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal.
The decision was made during a high-level meeting held at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on Wednesday, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan.
The announcement comes amid rising anger and grief on campus, where protests have continued since Shammo was fatally stabbed near Suhrawardy Udyan late Tuesday night.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Prof Khan said, “We’ve taken several important decisions to bolster campus security. The gate behind the Raju Sculpture will remain closed, and CCTV cameras will be installed throughout Suhrawardy Udyan to transform it into a ‘smart park’ similar to the one at Ramna.”
He added that a dedicated police box will be set up inside the park to improve surveillance, supported by both the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and members of the university’s academics.
A joint patrol team, comprising police and members of the university’s proctorial body, will also be formed to carry out regular patrols in and around Suhrawardy Udyan.
Additionally, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has been requested to install adequate lighting in the area to deter criminal activity.
Tuesday’s stabbing occurred at around 11:00pm when Shammo was reportedly riding through the park on a motorcycle. He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by friends shortly after midnight, where doctors pronounced him dead.
In connection with the murder, three suspects were arrested on Wednesday.
Alongside senior university officials, the Wednesday meeting was attended by LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Nazrul Islam, LGD Secretary Rezaul Maksud Jahedi, DSCC Administrator Shahjahan Mia, and DMP representatives.
Earlier, the DU formed a seven-member investigation committee led by Prof Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan to probe the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its report within three working days.