SSC farewell disrupted as BNP leader storms event, snatches microphone, locks head teacher’s office

An SSC examinees' farewell programme was underway at a school ground when a local leader arrived with his supporters. He snatched the microphone from the head teacher who was present at the event and locked the head teacher's room. Terrified students began leaving the venue.

A video of the incident spread on Facebook on Monday. Later, it was learned that the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the Banshbari Adarsha High School in Banshbari village, Gazipur union, Sreepur, Gazipur. The person accused of creating the disturbance has been identified as Md Sarwar Awal, a former general secretary of ward 1 of Gazipur union under Sreepur upazila.

According to multiple local sources, a frightening situation was created at the event, forcing it to be stopped. Later, a local resolution was reached, the lock was removed, and the programme was concluded briefly within an hour.

Describing the incident, the school's head teacher, Sanowar Uddin, said that Sarwar Awal, his brother Arman, and associates of local Mannan Master came and demanded that the event be stopped. They began abusing the teachers upon arrival. At one stage, 10 to 15 more people joined Awal. They suddenly snatched the microphone from his hand and shortly after locked the head teacher's room.

He said that Awal and his associates created the situation because they were invited verbally rather than with a written invitation.

Regarding the matter, the accused, Md Awal, claimed, "I did not abuse anyone there. Parents took me there. They wanted me to ask the head teacher about charging extra fees for admit cards."

He also claimed that the head teacher's room was not locked, and he did not know who did it. However, he said the lock was removed shortly afterwards.

Enamul Haque Moni, convener of Gazipur union BNP, told on Monday afternoon, "We have learned about the incident. A meeting will be held on Monday afternoon to decide on the matter."