Crimes on the Dhaka University campus have risen as security and surveillance boxes installed at the entry points of the university have remained inoperative for long.
The security boxes are located at different strategic points, including Shahbag, Mukti O Gonotontro Turon, Palashi, Bakshi Bazar and Curzon Hall on the campus.
During a visit, this correspondent saw that all the surveillance boxes on the DU campus lying abandoned. Nobody was found there working as security guard.
According to campus sources, criminal activities have risen at DU due to absence of security guards. Besides, traffic congestion have become a regular phenomenon on the campus road, hampering free movement of students, the sources added.
Many students said the DU campus turns into a place of huge gathering in the afternoon on every weekly holiday, seriously harming the academic environment.
Buses, trucks, and other unauthorised vehicles ply the road on the campus. Accidents also take place on the campus due to reckless driving, causing injuries to students.
Since the beginning of this year, various criminal activities such as snatching, extortion, and physical abuse have been reported.
The recent incident of extortion involving two leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s DU unit has highlighted the vulnerability of the campus to crimes.
Some students have been found engaged in drug dealing and consumption of narcotics near Suhrawardy Udyan, Sheikh Russel Tower, and Central Shaheed Minar area.
Besides, recently two students has been rebuked for torturing an outsider at Hazi Mohsin Hall. More than 20 incidents of crimes took place in the last five months.
On March 5, 60 students of the DU And seven colleges which are affiliated with Dhaka University has been rebuked for doing malpractice in the exams.
On January 22, a student of the university has been expelled for torturing a female police constable and mugging her at Suhrawardy Udyan.
DU Vice-Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal told the Bangladesh Post that “Our Proctor is well aware about all the incidents. “Talk to him. He can give you proper information.”
Contacted, Proctor Prof M Maksudur Rahman said, “We frequently supervise the campus. Our 20 personnel (working on daily basis) are working here. We are trying to control all the crimes”.
