Headmaster assaulted in Barguna

A Jubo League man, also chairman of the managing committee of a high school under Amtali upazila in Barguna district, allegedly assaulted the headmaster of the school at about 5:30pm last Saturday.

The incident took place over the appointments of an assistant teacher and an office assistant. Teachers and employees of all 38 high schools and madrasas under the upazila brought out a procession in Amtali upazila town yesterday by boycotting annual examinations in their institutions in protest.

They also submitted separate memorandums to the chairman of Barisal Education Board who is also the deputy commissioner of Barguna.

Police arrested a man allegedly involved in the incident while a case was filed with Amtali police station accusing five people. Md. Sahid Ullah, OC of the police station, confirmed the matter.

The victim was identified as S M Mohiuddin, headmaster of Khekuany High School.

Police and local sources said, Abdus Sobahan Liton, organising secretary of Amtali upazila unit Jubo League has been serving as chairman of the managing committee of Khekuany High School. The school recently published an advertisement to appoint an assistant teacher and an office assistant.

The headmaster and chairman differed in their selection of candidates. At about 5:00pm, Liton called on the headmaster at the school and went to his room to supposedly discuss the issue while some men associated with Liton, including his brother Santu Hawlader and brother-in-law Shimon Sharif, also came with him.

At one stage, Liton became very angry and he, along with Santu and Shimon, attacked the headmaster. Mohiuddin was beaten up and attacked with sharp objects. The three later confined Mohiuddin to his room.

They also allegedly looted Tk 86,000 by breaking into one of the headmaster's drawers and took Tk 7,000 from his pockets.

Hearing the commotion, locals came to the spot and informed police who rushed there and rescued the headmaster. He later received treatment in Amtali upazila health complex.

Mohiddin said he was attacked as he refused to accept the chairman's candidates to fill the vacancy.

Liton could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.

G M Osmani Hasan, president of the upazila unit of Jubo League informed that they had already suspended Liton on Sunday for his involvement in the attack.