DU tightens security

Dhaka University (DU) authorities have tightened security and imposed stricter controls on vehicle movement across the campus following a series of cocktail bomb explosions that have raised concerns over safety and law and order.

The administration has also made special security stickers mandatory for motorcycles entering the campus.

The directives were issued in two separate emergency notices by the university's Proctor's Office on Saturday.

Under the first notice, entry and movement of vehicles belonging to people other than university teachers, students, officers and employees will be restricted.

However, the restrictions will not apply to vehicles bearing official university stickers, ambulances, vehicles carrying doctors and patients, journalists' vehicles, ride-sharing services, food delivery vehicles, online shopping delivery vehicles and government vehicles.

The notice also said university authorities would be entitled to search individuals and vehicles as part of security measures.

In a separate notice, the administration instructed students, teachers, officers and employees who use motorcycles to apply for special security stickers by November 19.

Applicants must submit an application addressed to the proctor, accompanied by a recommendation from their respective office heads, proof of motorcycle ownership, university identity card, a photocopy of their driving licence and one recent passport-sized colour photograph.


At least 15 explosions were reported at 11 locations over the three days.

On November 8, explosions were reported near TSC, the Senate Building, the Vice-Chancellor's residence area, Jagannath Hall, Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall and Madhur Canteen, among other locations.

The following day, cocktails exploded near the TSC metro rail station and in front of the Raju Sculpture.

On November 10, further explosions occurred in the shadow area of the Arts Building and in front of the Faculty of Business Studies.

In one incident, a cocktail exploded near a teacher's private car, leaving its driver, Sohel, 36, seriously injured by shrapnel.

Students detained several suspects in connection with the incidents and handed them over to police.
Student suspended, probe committee formed

The university administration has also taken disciplinary action over the explosions.

On November 12, DU authorities temporarily suspended Mohammad Raihan Khan, a 2022-23 academic session student of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management and a resident of Bijoy Ekattor Hall, over allegations of direct involvement in the cocktail explosions.

The university also formed a five-member investigation committee headed by Proctor Professor Mohammad Israfil Prang. The committee has been asked to submit its report within seven working days.

Earlier, the university temporarily suspended two employees and issued show-cause notices to them over allegations of involvement in attempts to create sabotage and instability on campus.

They are Nipu Islam Tonny, a section officer at the Education-1 branch of the Registrar's Office, and Mohammad Aman Ullah, a sanitary supervisor at the Estate Office.

A case has also been filed with Shahbagh Police Station over the incidents.
Security measures expanded

On November 10, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam chaired an emergency coordination meeting with members of the proctorial team and senior officials of law enforcement agencies to review campus security.

The meeting decided to establish security checkpoints and collapsible gates at six campus entrances, intensify police patrols, repair non-functional CCTV cameras and consider installing AI-powered surveillance cameras in the future.

The latest restrictions on vehicle entry and motorcycle movement are part of the administration's broader efforts to strengthen security and prevent further incidents on campus.