Following the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research at Dhaka University, the TSC-adjacent gate of Suhrawardy Udyan is to be permanently closed. Authorities also decided to remove the makeshift shops located near the gate.
The decision was made during a meeting held on Wednesday at Dhaka University’s Senate Building. The meeting was attended by Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, youth and sports adviser to the interim government, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, university administrators, the public works secretary, and representatives from other relevant bodies.
It was also decided that a police box would be set up and regular operations would be conducted to prevent drug dealing and other criminal activities.
Asif Mahmud said that there would be discussions on running the park similarly to Ramna Park, possibly by enforcing entry restrictions after 8pm or 8:30pm.
He added: “Several decisions have been made at the meeting. One of them is the permanent closure of the gate behind the Raju sculpture. You will see it closed within a day or two.”
He also said: “The floating shops near the gate will also be removed permanently. A monitoring team under the Public Works Ministry will be formed to oversee this.”
The adviser further said: “Adequate lighting will be installed throughout Suhrawardy Udyan so there are no blind spots. CCTV cameras will be set up and monitored by the DMP. A police box will also be installed in the park.”
Speaking on upcoming security measures, he said: “Police raids will begin from tomorrow (Thursday) and continue regularly to ensure incidents like this don’t happen again. Major incidents draw attention, but small incidents happen here every day.”
“We must put a stop to this permanently. For that, we need more cooperation from the university administration and students,” said Asif Mahmud.
Asif Mahmud stressed the importance of addressing long-standing issues in the park. “Suhrawardy Udyan has long suffered from mismanagement, drug trade, and criminal networks. Shammo’s death has shown us, as if pointing a finger to our eyes, what must be done,” he said.
The adviser said: “Suhrawardy Udyan is jointly maintained by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Public Works. Though it is used for political programs and other events, about 70-80% of crimes related to Dhaka University are somehow linked to this park.”
Regarding the murder case, the adviser said: “Three people have been arrested. Once the investigation is complete, we will know who is responsible. The case will be handed over to a special investigative body.”
