No police action over assault of headmaster
Four days into the assault of a school headmaster allegedly by some local Awami League leaders in the district's Singra upazila, police are yet to take action against the attackers.
Five to six people, led by Jahedul Islam Bhola, joint secretary of Singra upazila AL, beat up Rafiqul Islam, headmaster of Khidrabaria High School, on Saturday noon, the victim alleged.
The teacher is now undergoing treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogra.
The victim's younger brother Ruhul Amin filed a complaint with Singra Police Station yesterday against five people, including Jahedul, also chairman of Chaugram Union Parishad.
Mir Asaduzzaman, assistant superintendent of police (Singra circle), said no case was filed in this connection until yesterday.
“A police team has investigated the matter. The headmaster took Tk 5 lakh from one Shahin Reza for appointing him as a teacher. Later, the education board dismissed him for securing the job with fake certificates. The followers of Shain Reza beat up the headmaster as he refused to return the money,” he told The Daily Star.
But the headmaster claimed that the UP chairman blamed him for Shahin's dismissal and demanded Tk 5 lakh from him.
“I fear a fresh attack from them [attackers]. They have threatened my colleagues not to give any statement about the incident,” said Rafiqul.
Visiting the school yesterday, this correspondent found that some 20 to 25 supporters of the UP chairman were present. Teachers and students refused to talk to The Daily Star for fear of reprisal.
Abdur Razzaque, president of Jatiya Shikkhak Karmachari Front's Natore unit, demanded punishment to the attackers. He expressed frustration at the role of police.
Aminur Rahman, secondary education officer of Singra upazila, said several men beat up the headmaster at the school.
“I have visited the spot and I will submit a report to the higher authorities in this regard,” he added.
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