Female teacher ‘assaulted with shoes’ in Rajshahi, 5 others injured

Local BNP leaders and activists have been accused of assaulting a female lecturer with shoes during an ongoing examination after storming at Daokandi Government University College in Durgapur of Rajshahi.

At least five people, including the principal, sustained injuries in this incident.

The incident took place on Thursday noon (April 23) at the institution while a degree second-year exam was in progress.

Section 144 had been imposed in and around the exam centre, and police were already deployed, authorities said.

According to witnesses, teachers, and students, several local BNP activists entered the principal’s office and engaged in an argument over administrative matters, particularly financial accounts from the tenure of the previous principal. The situation escalated, and lecturer Aleya Khatun Hira was allegedly assaulted, with claims she was beaten with shoes.

The attackers reportedly returned shortly afterward and launched another round of assault on teachers, also vandalising office rooms.

The injured include Principal Abdur Razzak, lecturer Aleya Khatun Hira, Professor Rezaul Karim Alam, and two staff members. Some of them were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH).

Aleya Khatun Hira alleged that the group had been demanding money for some time under the pretext of auditing accounts, and the attack took place after she protested.

However, local BNP leader Akbar Ali denied the allegation, claiming they were mistreated first and the situation spiraled out of control.

Principal Abdur Razzak also alleged that different BNP factions had been demanding money since he took charge, which he refused, leading to tensions.

Police said that despite prior deployment, a group forcefully entered the premises and carried out the attack.

Legal action will be taken upon receiving a written complaint, said an official from Durgapur Police Station.