The Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Democratic Students' Council (BDSC) organized a human chain on Monday afternoon, demanding a campus free from "vagrants, drug addicts, and mentally unstable individuals" to ensure the safety of university students, following the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a student of the Institute of Education and Research.
They voiced these demands in front of the proctor's office.
Abdul Kader, convener of the DU unit BDSC, told Dhaka Tribune that they are making these demands due to the vagrants moving freely on the DU campus after the eviction from Suhrawardy Udyan.
Notably, Shammo was stabbed on Tuesday night near Suhrawardy Udyan.
He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around midnight, where doctors pronounced him dead.
On Wednesday morning, his elder brother, Shariful Alam, filed a case at Shahbagh police station accusing 10-12 individuals.
Shammo was a student at Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research from the 2018-19 academic year.
He served as the publications secretary of the Chhatra Dal's AF Rahman Hall unit. His home was in Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj.
Abdul Kader said during the event that various types of homeless people, mentally unstable individuals, drug addicts, and displaced persons are occupying different areas of the campus.
He added that their presence poses a serious risk to campus security.
"Especially after dusk, they can be seen sleeping, fighting, or consuming drugs at different corners of the campus. They frequently harass female students and create obstacles to their movement," he added.
He said that these homeless people, mentally unstable individuals, drug users, and displaced persons are often found in front of the three women's halls located relatively far from the main campus and along the routes students use.
"They regularly disrupt the free movement of female students from these halls. Countless such people have established their base on the footover bridge near Sufia Kamal Hall, where they even spend their nights."
To address these issues, a five-point demand was presented to the proctor from the human chain.
The demands included the immediate removal of all unauthorized individuals currently residing on campus, along with strengthening the proctorial team's presence in areas near women's halls that are relatively distant from the main campus, especially during evening hours.
The student group also called for proper discussions with relevant authorities regarding the rehabilitation of drug users, vagrants, mentally unstable individuals, and displaced persons to prevent their return to campus.
Furthermore, they demanded assistance for the proper rehabilitation of displaced children and adolescents growing up on campus.
Finally, they urged that overall campus security measures be expedited to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
