Lakehead Grammar School in Dhaka closed down on militancy link charges

The authorities in Dhaka have closed down Lakehead Grammar School on charges of harbouring militancy and inspiring extremism.

Magistrate Ilias Mehedi, who led the drive to close down the school's branches at Dhanmondi and Gulshan, told bdnews24.com on Tuesday evening that the institution's administration agreed not to run operations from Wednesday.

He said it would be a punishable offence if the school continued operations.

The education ministry on Monday ordered the Dhaka district administration to close down the school.

Dhaka Additional Deputy Commissioner Sharif Rayhan Kabir told bdnews24.com that the administration tasked Mehedi with shutting down the school after getting the order.

Police helped the magistrate during the drive, Gulshan Police Station OC Abu Bakr and Dhanmondi Police Station OC Md Parvez Islam told bdnews24.com.

In the order addressing the deputy commissioner of Dhaka on Monday, the education ministry also alleged the school with branches in Dhanmondi and Gulshan had no government permission.

The school was also conducting activities against the nation and its independence, according to the ministry.

An official at the education ministry told bdnews24.com that the government investigated some directors and teachers of the school after receiving complaints over their connection with militancy.

The investigators found the allegations true, the official said, requesting anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media over the issue.

"Some people involved with the school have been detained by the police," the official said.