Lockdown Looms: Banned BSL Bolts DU Buildings including Science Building

In a dramatic turn of events, the banned student organization Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) has locked the main gates of five academic buildings at Dhaka University, including the Science Building. Labels reading “BSL” were pasted on paper wrapped around the padlocks. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night, November 12, ahead of the organization’s declared lockdown program scheduled for November 13 in the capital.

The other buildings locked by the group include the Faculty of Fine Arts, the Institute of Education and Research (IER), the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, and Curzon Hall. However, reports confirmed that the locks were broken and the gates reopened on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, Dhaka University unit BCL President Mazharul Kabir Shayon shared photos of the padlocked locations on his Facebook page, writing, “On the 13th, all day — make the lockdown successful. Lockdown by BCL — Faculty of Fine Arts, IER, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Curzon Hall Gate, Science Building, Dhaka University.”

Commenting on the matter, Assistant Proctor of Dhaka University Dr. Muhammad Rafiqul Islam said, “We have already received some information, though the full update is yet to reach us. I spoke with the officers in charge about an hour ago; the investigation is still ongoing. Appropriate action will be taken once all information is gathered.”

He further added, “We are in the process of identifying the officials, employees, and students at different levels of the campus who are involved in the incident. We are trying to identify the responsible persons within today.”

Meanwhile, from November 8 to 12, leaders and activists of various wings and affiliated bodies of the Awami League have continued carrying out violent activities across the capital in connection with their party’s lockdown program.

DBTech/BT/EK/OR