The administration of Dhaka University has suspended five security guards following an incident in which locks were placed allegedly by members of the banned student front of the Awami League on gates at five campus locations.
A statement from the university’s public relations office on Thursday said the guards were temporarily dismissed for negligence in duty.
The suspended guards are— Md. Shah Alam (IER), Md. Selim (IER), Md. Sangram Hossain (between Fine Arts faculty gates), Md. Shafiqul Islam (Nutrition and Food Science), and Md. Ali Ahmed (back gate of Curzon Hall).
According to the university, the guards were on duty from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Nov. 11. During inspections by the Proctorial Security Mobile Team, negligence in carrying out security responsibilities was observed.
The locks were placed as part of a 'lockdown' program called by Awami League, carried out by leaders and activists of the Chhatra League, whose outright organisational ban predates the one on its mother party's activities.
The locks were secured with chains, and white papers reading “Lockdown BSL” (Chhatra or 'Bangladesh Student League') were attached.
Some of their leaders posted as much on Facebook, describing how they executed what was immediately considered a serious breach, even amid the heightened activity on the day.
Confirming the matter, DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “The guards have been temporarily dismissed for dereliction of duty and have been served show-cause notices. The individuals who placed the locks are being traced. CCTV footage has been obtained, and efforts are underway to identify them.”