Madrasa student caned, head teacher beaten as accused teacher flees

A 10-year-old madrasa student was allegedly severely beaten and confined to a room in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat, triggering tension in the area on Wednesday evening (April 22).

The incident took place in the Shimultali area under Sonamukhi Union. The victim, Nahid Hasan, is a student of Ramshala Darul Ulum Hafezia and Nurani Qaumi Madrasa and the son of Mizanur Rahman.

According to sources, Nahid has been studying at the madrasa for around five years. Teacher Abu Huraira allegedly beat him with a cane for failing to recite his lessons and later locked him in a room on Wednesday morning.

In the afternoon, Nahid’s father arrived with food and learned from other students that his son had been confined. He later noticed multiple injury marks on the boy’s body and took him to a local village doctor, Anisur Rahman, for treatment.

As the incident became known, angry locals gathered at the madrasa. However, the accused teacher had already fled. The crowd then brought head teacher (Muhtamim) Omar Faruk to the doctor’s shop, where he was confined and physically assaulted.

Police later arrived at the scene, brought the situation under control, and rescued the head teacher, taking him to the police station. Tension is still prevailing in the area.

Local residents alleged that incidents of student abuse have occurred at the madrasa before, with some students reportedly dropping out due to physical punishment.

Nahid's father Mizanur Rahman said, "Let him rule, I have no objection to it. But the way my son was killed is inhumane. Even a thief is not killed like this. The marks of the beating are clear in the morning and in the evening. The teachers should have informed me of the incident. Instead of doing so, they helped the teacher escape from the madrasa. I want proper justice for this."

The headmaster (muhtamim) of the madrasa, Omar Faruk, said, "The accused teacher fled after the incident became known. However, the accusation of helping him escape is not true. The agitated people have insulted me."

Local resident Mohsin Ali said, "There are often complaints of students being beaten in that madrasa. The matter was reported to the authorities earlier, but no action was taken."

‎The general secretary of the madrasa management committee, Anisur Rahman, said, "I am shocked to see the condition of the student's body. Action will be taken against the accused teacher."

‎Akkelpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shaheen Reza said that people angry about the caning of the student had blocked the headmaster. Upon receiving the information, the police rescued him and brought him to the police station. No written complaint has been received yet. Legal action will be taken if a complaint is received.