Female teacher who was hit with shoe by BNP leader suspended

Aleja Khatun, the female teacher who was assaulted with a shoe during an attack at Dawkandi Government College in Durgapur upazila, Rajshahi, has been temporarily suspended. The directive was given by Moha. Asaduzzaman, Director of the Regional Office of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education in Rajshahi, after visiting the college on Sunday, April 26.

At the same time, both Aleja Khatun and college principal Abdur Razzak have been asked to submit written explanations regarding the incident within 24 hours.

According to teachers, a local group had long been demanding extortion money from the college. Tensions escalated after Principal Abdur Razzak refused to comply. On Thursday, a group led by Abdus Samad, known as 'Samad Daroga', visited the college and demanded a large sum of money in the name of a religious gathering. When the principal refused, they behaved indecently.

Teacher Aleja Khatun protested the behaviour, leading to an argument. According to allegations, BNP activist Shahadat Ali made an offensive comment, prompting an angry Aleja to slap him. Shahadat then removed his sandal and beat her with it, leaving her seriously injured.

Witnesses said more people later arrived and repeatedly assaulted the principal and the teacher, and vandalised the principal's office.

Director Asaduzzaman said he did not find either the principal or the teacher at the scene when he arrived; their phones were also switched off. He contacted them through alternative means and asked for an explanation within 24 hours. He said Aleja Khatun has been temporarily suspended in the interest of the investigation, and the Durgapur Secondary Education Officer has been instructed to submit a swift investigation report.

On the other hand, police are looking for Shahadat Ali, who was involved in the incident. Law enforcement said there is already an arrest warrant against him in a previous case.

The injured principal received medical treatment following the incident. Aleja Khatun is currently receiving treatment at a clinic and has said she will take further legal action once she recovers.

Durgapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Panchanand Sarkar said no written complaint has been received yet. Legal action will be taken after investigation if a complaint is filed.