Rejecting the Dhaka University administration’s earlier decision to observe a half-day mourning in response to the murder of student Shahriar Alam Sammo, a platform named Santrashbirodhi Shikkharthibrindo ("Students against terrorism") has announced a full-day strike.
As part of the protest, the platform has locked down several academic and administrative buildings of the university.
By around 12:30 PM on Thursday (May 15), the buildings were seen under lock and key.
Earlier, the university administration had announced a half-day mourning program for the following day in response to the brutal killing of Sammo.
The newly-formed protest platform appears to be dominated by members of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal, along with members from several left-leaning student organizations.
The protest began with the locking of the Faculty of Social Sciences building. Protesters then locked the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business Studies buildings as well.
During a rally, the protesters demanded the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan and Proctor Dr. Saifuddin Ahmed, accusing them of failing to ensure campus security.
Sakib Biswas, Organizing Secretary of the Bijoy Ekattor Hall unit of Chhatra Dal, said during the rally, "We have locked the Social Sciences, Arts, and Business Studies buildings, and we will do the same for science faculty buildings. We are also going to lock the administrative building as part of the full-day strike."
The anti-terrorism platform has called for a complete boycott of classes, exams, and all administrative activities tomorrow, rejecting the administration’s proposed half-day observance. They urged all students not to attend any academic or official activities during the strike.
The platform has also announced a protest rally at 5 PM tomorrow at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla, demanding the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctor.
