Protesting students set the Bangladesh Television Centre at Rampura on fire on Thursday afternoon.
Reports indicate that a large number of students broke through the main gate of the TV station, entering the premises and setting it ablaze around 2:45pm.
As of 4:20pm, the fire continued to engulf the TV station.
In addition to the television centre, several cars and motorcycles in the parking area in front of the building were also set on fire.
Reports of arson were received at the Rampura police outpost, further escalating the situation.
BTV Director of Administration Ruhul Amin told Bangla Tribune: “Various rooms, including the garage on the ground floor, have been set on fire. The fire is still burning, and neither the police, BGB, nor the Fire Service has arrived yet. We are trapped inside. The situation is dire, but important offices and archives are safe for now. Hundreds of protesters are stationed outside.”
A private job holder working opposite the BTV center in Rampura told the Dhaka Tribune on Thursday afternoon that clashes erupted at Rampura around 10:30am.
Students from private universities and other protesters initially blocked the Rampura Bridge area. Police then chased them, leading the protesters to set fire to the bridge.
"Since the morning, clashes between police and protesters have been ongoing at Rampura near BTV," the individual added from their locked office for safety reasons.
Apart from BTV, protesters also attacked some private television journalists at Rampura.
Officer-in-Charge of Rampura police station Moshiur Rahman stated: "Almost all of our police forces deployed in Rampura, including our senior officers, are injured. Many are receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.”