students sexually abused at madrasa in Meherpur, locals protest

Locals and guardians have staged protests and laid siege to a madrasa and a police station in Mujibnagar, Meherpur, following allegations of sexual abuse of three students at a boarding madrasa.

The incident allegedly occurred on Thursday night, April 9, at Mujibnagar Ideal Madrasa and Darul Hifz Khana Boarding in Kedargang Bazar.

Mujibnagar Police Station OC Zahidul Islam said the madrasa was founded by Maulana Tahaj Uddin, MP for Meherpur-1 constituency and district Jamaat Ameer.

The father of one victim filed a case against a teacher at the police station. The accused teacher was arrested and sent to court, and the victim children were rescued from the madrasa.

The arrested Nur Uddin is an Arabic teacher at the madrasa. He is from Tengachora village in East Dhala upazila, Netrokona.

Locals said children from various districts study at this boarding madrasa. When the abuse of three children came to light on Thursday night, locals laid siege to the madrasa.

As Jamaat activists came forward to protect the madrasa due to its ownership by a Jamaat leader, locals became further agitated. Police arrived and brought the situation under control, after which protesters laid siege to Mujibnagar police station demanding justice and arrest of the accused.

The father of one victim said his son studies in class five Hifz section at the madrasa. He learned of the incident from another student's parent and rescued his 10-year-old son around 3:00 am.

The child told the family that Arabic teacher Nur Uddin used to call him and two other students at night and abuse them.

Locals Shariful Islam and Majedur Rahman said they saw people running towards the madrasa. Hundreds gathered and laid siege. When Jamaat activists tried to shield the madrasa, the situation worsened. They later retreated due to public pressure and police presence.

Police entered the madrasa, arrested the accused teacher and rescued the children. Protesters then laid siege to Mujibnagar police station demanding justice.

Some locals said similar allegations had been heard before but were not taken seriously.

Mujibnagar upazila Jamaat Secretary General Md Khairul Bashar said party activists went to the scene after the madrasa was falsely claimed on social media to be owned by the Jamaat Ameer.

Madrasa teacher Sohel Rana claimed the madrasa has no direct connection with Meherpur district Jamaat Ameer Tahaj Uddin Khan. He said the madrasa's director is the Jamaat Ameer's elder brother Selim Hossain Khan. The accused teacher has been arrested and a case filed.

OC Zahidul Islam said the accused teacher allegedly used to call students at night and abuse them. He has been arrested and sent to jail. The victim children have been produced before a magistrate to record their statements under Section 22 of the CrPC.