Leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the BNP, staged a sit-in protest at the capital’s Shahbagh intersection on Thursday, demanding justice for the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a Dhaka University student and the literature and publicity secretary of the Sir AF Rahman Hall unit of the student body.
The protest, led by JCD central president Rakibul Islam, began around 10:00am, with activists assembling from 9:30am. Traffic in the area quickly came to a halt, causing severe congestion and public inconvenience across adjacent roads. The sit-in is scheduled to continue until 5:00pm.
JCD leaders stated the demonstration reflects growing anger over the perceived lack of progress in the investigation into Shammo’s death, which many believe was politically motivated.
“We’ve seen no credible action or assurance from the authorities. The administration is playing a game of hide-and-seek,” said Rakibul at the protest venue.
Shammo’s murder has reignited tensions on the DU campus, known for its history of political rivalry and student violence. His killing has triggered outrage, particularly among opposition-aligned students, who accuse the university and police of inaction.
On Wednesday, DU authorities claimed three individuals had been detained in connection with the case, but failed to reveal their identities—prompting scepticism from JCD leaders.
“If the administration can’t even name them, it shows they’re not sure themselves,” said Rakibul.
In a statement issued Wednesday evening, the JCD criticised what it called “investigative negligence” and demanded the immediate arrest of the key perpetrators, transparency in the inquiry, and a swift, fair trial.
The protest has paralysed one of Dhaka’s busiest intersections, located near key institutions including DU, the Bangladesh National Museum, and several hospitals.