KUSHTIA, Mar 4: Asma Sadia Runa (40), chairman and Assistant Professor of the Social Welfare Department at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia, was stabbed to death in her office on Wednesday afternoon.
The attacker, Khandaker Fazlur Rahman (35), an unpaid employee of the same department, also attempted to take his own life by slitting his throat.
The shocking incident occurred around 4:30 pm inside the department chair's office in the Theology and Islamic Studies faculty building. Sources indicated that the attack may have been triggered by disputes over unpaid wages and frustration over a recent transfer to another department.
Fazlur, a day laborer paid through block allocation, had reportedly been dissatisfied with his transfer to the Political Science department and longstanding unpaid salary.
Witnesses said that upon hearing screams, nearby faculty members and students rushed to the scene and rescued both injured individuals. They were initially taken to the university medical center and later transferred to Kushtia General Hospital. Dr. Hasan Imam, Residential Medical Officer at Kushtia Sadar Hospital, confirmed that Asma Sadia Runa was pronounced dead around 6:00 pm.
The incident sparked panic across the campus. Students expressed anger on social media, questioning the university's administrative oversight and internal security measures. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah visited the scene along with the university security team to review CCTV footage through the ICT Cell. Investigators from the PBI, Crime Scene Unit, and CID also collected evidence at the site.
Authorities said they would examine how an employee was able to enter the department chair's office carrying a sharp weapon, and the matter of salary and transfer-related grievances will also be investigated.
