Shammo murder: Students hold sit-in, demand resignation of VC, proctor

Students of Dhaka University (DU), under the banner of "Students Against Terrorism," held a sit-in, demanding the resignation of the university's vice-chancellor and proctor, citing administrative failure in ensuring students' safety and justice in Shammo murder case.

The protest was held in front of the proctor's office at the Arts Faculty building today between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.

Abid-ur Rahman Mishu, literature and publication secretary of the Surja Sen Hall unit of Chhatra Dal, criticised the university administration's inaction, saying, "The investigation committee was supposed to submit its report within three working days, but even after eight days, we have seen no progress."

He said the administration has failed to ensure the safety of students on campus, and thus, the proctor and vice-chancellor must step down, taking responsibility for this failure.

Meanwhile, Nuzia Hasin Rasha, president of the DU unit of Biplobi Chhatro Moitri, alleged that the administration has taken several short-sighted and populist measures under the guise of ensuring campus security.

"After all these failures, the vice-chancellor and proctor have lost their moral right to remain in office. They must resign, owning up to their responsibilities," she said.

In a press release issued by the university's Public Relations Office, it was confirmed that three more individuals had been arrested last night in connection with the murder.

VC Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan said in the release that the university administration is committed to ensuring justice in the Shammo murder case. "We want to stay above all forms of politics to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly," he added.

Shammo, 25, was a student of the 2018–19 session at the Institute of Education and Research and the literature and publication secretary of the JCD's Sir AF Rahman Hall unit.