At just 25 years old, Shahriar Alam Shammo’s light has been extinguished. The bright-faced Dhaka University student has vanished into unknown darkness. His comrades from the July uprising, classmates, and friends can barely accept his sudden departure.
The pain of losing a loved one has left everyone devastated. As news spread of Shammo being brutally stabbed by miscreants on Wednesday night, students erupted in protest. They surrounded the vice chancellor’s residence, demanding justice for Shammo’s killing and a safer campus. By morning, Chhatra Dal – of which Shammo was a member – had organised fragmented protests across the campus.
Throughout the night and the following day, social media overflowed with tributes. Among them was a cheerful photo posted by his friend Raisa Niti of them smiling together. The emotional note from the Dubai-based young woman left many readers with a tear in their eye.
Raisa wrote: “You came as light into my dark life and taught me how to live. Today you’ve disappeared into that same darkness. How will I live without you, Shammo? How do I convince myself you’re really gone?”
Friends flooded the post with condolences. One person commented: “Your happiness seems so fleeting now. After everything, we wanted to see your cheerful face again. May Allah give you more strength.”
A now-viral photo shows Shammo standing confidently with arms outstretched during the historic August 5 gathering at Parliament, when thousands celebrated the government change. The handsome young man in a sky-blue shirt has become an indelible image.
Mahdi Amin, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s adviser, reflected on a shared photo: “The boy who dreamed of change, who fought for people’s rights – that frontline warrior of the mass uprising had to sacrifice his life on his own campus!” He added: “What kind of country are the rulers building? How will this blood debt be repaid? We demand arrests, justice, accountability. Not a failed administration but safe campuses and a secure Bangladesh.”
Another friend lamented: “Bright young minds are falling like birds. First Parvez (Primeasia University student stabbed to death), now Shammo – another Chhatra Dal activist and July movement frontline soldier. Next it could be any of us. University students carry their families’ dreams, yet they are being murdered without cause. Who is actually responsible for people’s safety in this country?”
Shammo, a master’s student in the Education and Research department and publicity secretary of Sir AF Rahman Hall’s Chhatra Dal unit, was stabbed near Suhrawardy Udyan late Tuesday night. Hailing from Ullapara, Sirajganj, his killing has already led to three arrests.