Torture on guardian causes sensation in Cox's Bazar

A stir has been created in the district over a video and some still pictures posted on the Facebook account of a school, showing a guardian of a student being beaten by some teachers.

Victim Ayatullah told this correspondent that he was beaten on Sunday as he protested his son's examination result and increase of tuition fees without any notice.

He alleged that some teachers of Kharulia KG and Pre-Cadet School, and some teachers and students of a nearby high school, tied him with a rope and beat him. Some teachers captured the scene on video and photos.

Ayatullah said members of the school managing committee made him sign a blank paper after the incident and let him go. He took treatment at Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, he said.

He said he came to know later that the video and photos had been posted on Facebook, adding that he will file a case in this regard.

He alleged that the school is run by a syndicate as per their whims. 

The teachers denied the allegations. Borhan Uddin, principal of Kharulia KG and Pre-Cadet School, said Ayatullah often came to the school and issued threats. 

The principal said Ayatullah came to the school on Sunday and started hurling abuse. He said Ayatullah grabbed his shirt collar and started pulling him. Hearing the shouts, Headmaster Zahirul Haque of nearby Kharulia High School went to the spot and Ayatullah punched him. Seeing Zahirul bleeding, agitated students and teachers beat Ayatullah.

Zahirul said Ayatullah is a hot-headed man and is accused in eight cases for various incidents, including vandalising of vehicles.

Locals and teachers gave opposing versions about the incident. They demanded investigation into the incident and action against the guilty.

Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Noman Hossain visited the spot on Sunday and said investigation has started. Action will be taken against the people responsible, he added.

Ayatullah filed a case with Sadar Police Station yesterday night, accusing Zahirul, Borhan uddin and four unnamed others, said Officer-in-Charge Ranjit Kumar Barua.