Several gates and entrances of the University of Dhaka (DU) were found locked with chains early today, with labells reading "Lockdown" ahead of Awami League's programme scheduled for tomorrow.

Security guards on duty claimed they were all in the washroom at the time of the incident.

The university administration has not yet confirmed whether Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the banned student organisation of the Awami League, is linked to the incident.

"We are reviewing CCTV footage from those areas to identify the individuals responsible. We saw the gates chained and marked with 'BSL'. Following my instruction, the proctorial team broke the locks," said DU Proctor Prof Saifuddin Ahmed.

Earlier in the morning, Mazharul Kabir Shayon, president of the banned organisation's DU unit, posted photos of the locked gates on his Facebook profile, writing, "On the 13th, make the lockdown successful throughout the day."

According to the proctor, locks were found at multiple locations, including the Faculty of Fine Arts, Institute of Education and Research (IER), Senate Bhaban-adjacent gate, Institute of Nutrition and Food Science, Curzon Hall's gate near the High Court, Science Annex Building.

Prof Saifuddin said the locks were found around 5:00am, and he suspects internal involvement in the incident.

"We believe some individuals from within the university might have been involved. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for outsiders to chain these gates at that hour," he added.

He also said that approval has been taken to suspend the guards who were on duty during the incident.

"We are examining CCTV footage to see whether any university insiders were involved."