Locals shut madrasa in Dinajpur

Local people shut a madrasa at Sahadubi village in Birganj upazila of the district on Wednesday, bringing charge of sexual harassment against its superintendent.

Fatematuj Jahra Mohila Madrasa has 120 female students, mostly from poor families.

Md Abu Talha, 30, brother of madrasa founder Mufti Jobayer Ahmed of the village, grabbed the post of superintendent and continued harassing the female students sexually, alleged locals.

In early January this year, the same charge was brought against Talha but local people later settled the issue anyway.

On Monday, several students of the madrasa brought allegation of sexual harassment against the madrasa superintendent.

Being informed, the villagers besieged the madrasa, demanding punishment of superintendent Talha within 24 hours. They later put the madrasa under lock and key.

As the 24-hour ultimatum is over, the villagers besieged the madrasa on Wednesday afternoon and staged a demonstration there. They later shut the madrasa.

Talha went into hiding soon after the incident, said police.

“It is reported that Talha often raped his students feeding them sedative tablets. But the victims remained mum as they hail from poor families,” said Mala Khan, member of Shivrampur Union Parishad.

Contacted, Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Birganj Police Station, said they are yet to get any official complaint against the offence.