The superintendent of Kunia Chadpur Dakhil Madrasa in Damurhuda upazila of Chuadanga, Abu Bakar Siddique, has alleged that he was beaten in his office with the door shut and the electricity cut, after he kept the teachers’ attendance register in his own office to make sure they came on time. Several teachers of the madrasa and a BNP leader are said to be involved.
Such an incident inside an educational institution has raised serious questions about the learning environment, the safety of teachers and staff, and administrative discipline. Three separate written complaints have been filed with the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), the upazila education office and Damurhuda Model Police Station. Following the complaints, the upazila education office formed a three-member probe committee on Thursday (5 November).
According to the complaint, on Monday morning the superintendent kept the attendance register in his office to make sure teachers arrived on time. Assistant teacher Iqbal Hossain tried to snatch the register from him, and when he refused to hand it over he was beaten, the superintendent alleges. Part of the incident was recorded by the madrasa’s CCTV camera, and the footage shows assistant teacher Iqbal hitting him.
The situation grew more heated at midday the next day, Tuesday, while classes were going on. According to the complaint, Abdul Hamid, a member of the Damurhuda upazila BNP and a former union parishad member, assistant teachers Iqbal Hossain and Yusuf Ali, and four or five outsiders and teachers entered the superintendent’s room. At one point they shut the door, cut the electricity and beat Abu Bakar Siddique. When assistant teacher Sabekun Nahar Mita heard his cries and came forward to protest, she too was treated discourteously, the complaint says.
Sabekun Nahar alleges she was threatened that, because her home is in Khulna district, she would face unpleasant incidents on the road. After the incident she filed a written complaint with the superintendent, which was received on Thursday.
“I now feel unsafe,” she said. “Under these circumstances I have stopped going to the madrasa.”
Abu Bakar Siddique said: “The dispute with assistant teacher Iqbal Hossain and a few others arose because I kept the attendance register in my custody to ensure teachers’ attendance. Later the BNP leader, some teachers and outsiders entered my room, shut the door, cut the electricity and beat me badly. I have filed separate complaints with the upazila administration, the secondary education office and the police station.”
Upazila education officer Mikail Hossain said they were aware of the complaint. A three-member committee has been formed to investigate and will begin work on Sunday, and necessary action will be taken once its report is received.
Md Rasel, officer-in-charge of Damurhuda Model Police Station, said: “We have received a written complaint. Necessary legal action will be taken after discussion with the upazila administration.”
UNO Lovely Yasmin said: “After receiving the complaint, the upazila education officer was instructed to investigate. A three-member probe committee has already been formed. Necessary action will be taken under the rules once the report is received.”
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report