Lax security measures at DU even after Shammo murder

A week has passed since the murder of Dhaka University (DU) student Shahriar Alam Shammo, but no visible steps have been taken to ensure security along nearly 600-meter-long stretch from TSC to Doel Chattar. There are no CCTV cameras, adequate lighting or regular security patrols in this area, which creates additional risks for students and ordinary pedestrians.

DU ICT Cell Director Dr. Mosaddek Hasan Kamal said: "The university does not have its own CCTV cameras from TSC Metro Station to Doel Chattar." Habibur Rahman, Technical Officer of the same department, also expressed his inability to provide adequate information regarding security measure.

However, investigations showed that there are a total of six CCTV cameras in the area, but they do not cover the TSC Metro Station, Ramna Kali Mandir or the entrance to Dhaka Gate. In this regard, Dr. Kamal said: "The cameras you saw were not installed by the university, but by other offices under their own management."

This stretch, which is rich in important structures including the Ramna Kali Mandir and the shrines of three leaders, has now become known as a 'risky area'.

A field inspection showed that there are no CCTVs from pillars 543 to 562 of the metro station. Although there are 19 lampposts, seven lamps on one side are in a broken condition. Although the light under the metro is spread to a limited extent in some places, most places are shrouded in darkness.

Nikunja, an Ansar member in charge of the metro station, said that there are no CCTVs at "Gate A" and "Gate B" of the station. Ansar members Al-Amin and Ariful Islam, who were deployed at Doel Chattar, said: "It is scary to sit here at 3-4am. Vagrants and drug addicts roam around with dangerous weapons. We only have a walkie-talkie."

University Proctor Professor Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed said: “The proctorial team removes vagrants and unknown people from the campus every day. However, they return after a while. Although the city corporation is supposed to finally evict them, they are now in some administrative complications. The eviction process will start with them from next Sunday.”

Meanwhile, night pedestrians and rickshaw pullers said that some bikers come and gather under the metro station late at night and hang out. Sometimes the lights suddenly turn off and the area blacks out for a few seconds, which creates an atmosphere of fear.

This path, without lights, cameras, guards and surveillance, is an unfortunate reflection of DU’s security system. Due to irresponsibility, lack of coordination and lack of proper action, the safety of students is under serious threat. However, hundreds of students and ordinary people use this path every day, say general students.