As previously announced, the activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) gathered at the Shahbagh intersection on Thursday, bringing vehicular movement in the area to a standstill.

JCD, the student wing of BNP, has been demonstrating for several days demanding justice for Shahriar Alam Shammo, a Dhaka University student and hall-level JCD leader from the Institute of Education and Research, who was allegedly killed recently.

During Wednesday’s demonstration at Shahbagh, JCD announced a fresh sit-in programme at the Shahbagh and InterContinental intersections from Thursday morning till evening. In line with that announcement, JCD activists once again blocked the Shahbagh intersection today.

JCD leaders and activists began assembling at the intersection from 9:00am.

Shortly afterwards, heavy rain began, but it failed to disrupt the programme.

After 10:00am, a group of JCD members stepped onto the street despite the downpour, followed by many others.

During the demonstration, they chanted slogans such as, “No more, no more, NSI-backed proctor”, “Bodies hanging in campus, what does the proctor do?”, “My brother is in the grave, why is the killer free?” and “We want justice, justice for Shammo.”

The sit-in will continue until 5:00pm today, said JCD members.

JCD central president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir were present at the programme, along with leaders from various Dhaka city units.

Talking to the media, Rakib said no assurance of justice has been given regarding Shammo’s killing.

“The real perpetrators have not been arrested yet. Though the case has been transferred from Shahbagh thana to DB, we haven’t received any concrete updates. Only one suspect has been remanded four days after the arrest, which indicates unnecessary delay,” he said.

He added, “When a student, who played a significant role in the July movement is murdered in this manner, and the authorities fail to arrest the killers, it raises serious questions about law enforcement’s role in ensuring public safety.”

Referring to previous incidents, including the murder of Zahidul Islam Parvez, Rakib said, “We are holding today’s blockade to press for the arrest and proper trial of Shammo’s real killers.”

Public suffering intensified due to the blockade. Later, vehicles bound for Shahbagh via Farmgate and Karwan Bazar, as well as Kataban and Matshyabhaban, were seen diverting through Moghbazar via Banglamotor as an alternative route.