Quota shutdown: cars, reception at BTV building torched in Rampura

Cars and the reception area at the Bangladesh Television building in Dhaka’s Rampura have been torched amid the ongoing ‘shutdown’ programme called by quota reform protesters.

Fire Service vehicles were dispatched to the location, but they did not reach the scene because the protesters blocked them, said Ariful Islam, senior station officer at Khilgaon Fire Station.

“We have been on the road since 3pm, but have not been able to enter BTV. There are intense clashes. We asked the police for security but did not receive it. Our vehicles turned back and returned around 4:30pm.”

“They suddenly entered the building,” said BTV Chief Engineer Masud Bhuiyan. “They vandalised the cars and motorcycles in the parking lot and torched them. Then they set a fire at the reception. We called the Fire Service, but they haven’t arrived yet.”