Students and teachers from Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research (IER) and other departments surrounded Shahbagh police station on Sunday, following the expiration of their previously issued 48-hour ultimatum, demanding justice in the Shahriar Alam Shammo murder case.
Around 12:30pm, students from various departments gathered in front of Shahbagh police station, joined in solidarity by some faculty members.
The protesters said they had given authorities 48 hours to arrest the main suspect, but with no progress made, they were forced to return to the streets.
“This is part of our earlier plan. We gave them time, but nothing happened,” said DU student Arian.
“One of our brothers was murdered on campus, and the main accused is still free. We won’t return to our halls until justice is served," he added.
The protesters subsequently dispersed from Shahbagh police station around 1:45pm following a meeting with DMP Ramna Zone Additional Deputy Commissioner Mir Asaduzzaman and Officer-in-Charge (OC) Khalid Mansur, during which they were assured that justice would be served in the Shammo murder case.
During the meeting, Asaduzzaman said that they possess concrete evidence in the case but are unable to disclose it to the press or students due to concerns that doing so might compromise the investigation.
He further requested six days for intensive interrogation of the arrestees, noting that the remand was granted only recently.
Prior to surrounding Shahbagh police station, students had organized a protest rally at the Raju Memorial Sculpture near TSC, DU, at around 11:30am.
Teachers and students from the IER, along with leaders and activists from various student organizations, participated in the rally.
Later, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan and Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed joined the protest at approximately 12pm and expressed solidarity with the demonstrators.
Niaz said they were there to support the demand for justice in Shammo's murder.
He also mentioned that a special meeting has been arranged with the Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, scheduled for 3pm on Sunday.
According to the VC, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed, IER acting director Hosne Ara Begum, and student representatives will attend the meeting on behalf of the university and IER.
Shammo's elder brother, SAM Shariful Alam, was also present at the protest.
He urged everyone not to use his brother's death for political purposes and called on the university administration to remain vigilant on the matter.
IER Professor Dr Sumera Ahsan said that Shammo is no longer just an individual; he has become a symbol of protest.
She emphasized that no political agendas should be pursued using Shammo's death. "Everyone may protest under their organizational banners, but the general students' banner must remain intact."
Earlier on Saturday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner SM Sazzat Ali announced that a special tribunal would be formed to expedite the trial process and ensure the maximum punishment for those responsible for Shammo’s murder.
Additionally, Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of the Ramna Zone, DMP, stated during a press briefing at the Dhaka University VC Lounge on Saturday that further information regarding the Shammo murder case would be shared after six days of interrogation of the arrestees.
He also noted that other relevant factors are being considered in the ongoing investigation.
On Tuesday night, Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student of IER at Dhaka University, was fatally stabbed near Suhrawardy Udyan.
He later succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
