The administration of Alaol Hall at Chittagong University (CU) has been accused of keeping 32 operational closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras switched off for a prolonged period, leaving residential students in a state of insecurity.
Despite the lack of any mechanical faults, the cameras have been kept inactive by the hall’s provost, Prof Md Jamalul Akbar Chowdhury, according to allegations made by residential students and hall union representatives.
Students complained that because the cameras are switched off, it has become difficult to identify those responsible for incidents of theft, vandalism, and other untoward occurrences inside the hall. They expressed deep concern over the safety of their personal belongings, particularly bicycles and motorcycles parked in front of the hall.
According to hall sources, a total of 32 CCTV cameras were installed at key locations across the four blocks of the four-storey Alaol Hall building at a cost of approximately Tk2.5 lakh. Although the cameras remained functional for a brief period after installation, they are currently all turned off, student union leaders and residential students confirmed.
Meanwhile, the elected representatives of the Alaol Hall Student Union have issued a statement levelling multiple allegations against the hall provost. The student union alleged that administrative decisions regarding the hall are being taken without any coordination with them.
They also accused the provost of conducting secret night-time activities through meetings involving non-residential students. In protest against these actions, the Alaol Hall Student Union has announced a boycott of scheduled meetings.
Raihan, a residential student, said, “We are living in a state of insecurity because the hall’s CCTVs are switched off. Just recently, we witnessed someone carrying a weapon coming out of Shah Amanat Hall. If our own hall’s CCTVs remain switched off, it is a source of panic for us.”
Students also voiced distress regarding the safety of vehicles parked outside the building. Abu Nasim, a Political Science student from the 2022–23 academic session, said, “I park my bike in front of the Alaol Hall gate in the evening. Recently, when I came out, I found that the ignition key slot had been broken, the seat cover was torn, and there were numerous scratches on the body. We only park our things outside because of the CCTV cameras. But if the cameras are turned off, there is no guarantee or security for our belongings.”
According to student union representatives, the installation of the CCTVs was initiated during the tenure of the former provost, Prof Md Enamul Haque, under the leadership of residential teacher Prof Mozammel Haque Milon.
However, the provost was changed before the project was completed, and Prof Md Jamalul Akbar Chowdhury assumed the role. The representatives alleged that although the new provost inaugurated the cameras upon taking charge, they were later turned off under various pretexts.
The hall union Communication and Accommodation Affairs Secretary Myn Hanjala said, “The tenure of the former provost ended before the CCTV installation could be fully completed. After the new provost took charge, we inaugurated the system on behalf of the student union. For the last two months, we have repeatedly enquired why the cameras are not being kept operational through the student union.” He added that it seems the issue is deliberately being left unresolved, keeping the entire matter hanging.
Alaol Hall Union General Secretary Nurnabi Hasan explained, “The voltage fluctuates in our hall’s power lines. A house tutor had advised the provost to purchase a specific component to protect the CCTV cameras from damage during voltage drops. The administration is using this as an excuse to keep the cameras switched off.” He claimed, “Funding has nothing to do with whether the CCTVs are kept on or off. The administration could turn them on right now if they wanted to.”
When asked about the situation, residential teacher Prof Mozammel Haque Milon said, “I met with an accident shortly after the work began. Consequently, I had to spend less time at the office for a month or more. In the meantime, the hall provost changed. Although I initiated the project, all responsibilities subsequently shifted to the provost. The subsequent deals, negotiations, and decisions regarding whether to return or keep the monitor were handled entirely by him. I was no longer involved after that.”
Attempts were made to contact Alaol Hall Provost Prof Md Jamalul Akbar Chowdhury over the phone multiple times for comment, but he repeatedly avoided calls from journalists.
