JCD ends Shahbagh blockade after nearly 2-hours; traffic resumes

Leaders and activists of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) withdrew from Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection on Sunday evening, nearly two hours after staging a protest demanding justice for the murder of Shahriar Alam Shammo, a Dhaka University Chhatra Dal leader.

The demonstration began around 3:45 PM, when protesters blocked the busy intersection to protest alleged negligence in the murder investigation and to press for the arrest of those responsible.

At 5:25 PM, JCD Central President Rakibul Islam announced the conclusion of the day’s protest. The demonstrators then marched away peacefully, and normal vehicular movement resumed shortly after.

During the protest, JCD members chanted slogans such as Justice for Shammo and “We want justice”. Speaking at the rally, President Rakibul Islam and General Secretary Nasir Uddin accused the university administration of failing to ensure campus safety. They demanded the immediate resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctor of Dhaka University.

They also warned that if their demands were not met, the organization would launch tougher programs in the coming days.

Earlier in the day, around 12:00 PM, students carried out a procession and surrounded Shahbagh Police Station, demanding the arrest of the “real” culprits behind Shammo’s killing.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chhatra Dal announced a nationwide protest program for Sunday, including rallies in front of the National Museum in Shahbagh and demonstrations across all educational institutions. The protests aimed to highlight alleged delays in the investigation and call for safer campuses.

As part of the coordinated action, the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal organized a black flag procession on campus earlier in the day, reiterating demands for the resignation of university officials and justice for Shahriar.