Madrasa torched after head-teacher 'elopes with student'

NOAKHALI, Jan 14: An allegation has been raised against the head-teacher of Syed Munshi Bari Madrasa in Subarnachar Upazila of Noakhali for fleeing with a 12-year-old former student.

Widespread tension spread in the area after the incident. At one point, unidentified individuals set fire to the madrasa.

Police visited the spot on Wednesday afternoon. Prior to that, the arson incident at the madrasa in Uttar Char Hasan Village of Char Jabbar Union in the upazila occurred between 11:30 pm and midnight on Tuesday night.

The accused headmaster, Mahmudul Hasan, 35, is a resident of Pirojpur District. He was serving as the headmaster of Syed Munshi Bari Madrasa. He has been absconding since the incident.

According to local sources, the victim student is a former student of that madrasa. She is currently a sixth-grade student at Noorupatwarirhat Madrasa in Sadar Upazila. It is alleged that during her studies at Syed Munshi Bari Madrasa, a romantic relationship developed between her and Headmaster Mahmudul Hasan. On January 7, he fled with the student. Later, family members rescued the student and brought her home.

Panel Chairman of Char Jabbar Union Parishad Md. Abu Kausar stated that after the incident, family members of the victim family padlocked the accused teacher's madrasa. This kept the madrasa closed for nearly a week. On Tuesday late night, unidentified individuals set fire to the madrasa.

Acting Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Char Jabbar Police Station Md. Lutfar Rahman said that upon receiving the news, police and fire service personnel went to the spot and brought the fire under control. Since there were no students in the madrasa, no casualties occurred.

The victim's family has filed a written complaint at Sudharam Police Station regarding the incident of fleeing with the student. Legal action will be taken if a written complaint is received regarding the arson incident. Currently, the victim student is in the custody of her family.