Unidentified criminals hit a teacher in the head with a hammer in Natore yesterday morning, leaving him critically injured.

Fifty-year-old Lutfar Rahman, acting principal of Chandpur Technical College in Bagatipara, was first rushed to the upazila health complex. He was moved to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital later.

"Lutfar bore marks of serious marks in his head and left hand. So, we sent him to the other hospital for better treatment," said Nujhat Naurin, medical officer at the health complex.

His family members blamed a feud over the principal's post for the attack.

The victim's brother Rabiul Islam alleged that some criminals, hired by former principal of the college Mokbul Hossain, carried out the attack.

Abdullah Al Mamun, officer-in-charge of Bagatipara Police Station, said Mokbul was discharged from the post in the face of allegations of corruption and irregularities in the institution last year.

Lutfar was made the acting principal and there has been a dispute between them since then.

Contacted, Mokbul rejected the allegation, saying he was "extremely sadden" by the news that Lutfar was attacked.