The principal of Nabokam Palli University College in Faridpur`s Salta upazila, Md. Obaidur Rahman, was allegedly beaten with a hammer by some students on Thursday morning and then coerced into signing a resignation letter.
The incident occurred around 10 am at the college, and a video showing the forced resignation has since circulated on social media.
According to the students of Nabokam Palli University College, Principal Obaidur had been involved in corruption and irregularities since joining the institution, acting as an ally of the previous Awami League government.
They accused him of opposing their Anti-discrimination Student Movement and using the police to harass them. "We have been protesting and demanding his resignation ever since the fall of the autocratic regime, even holding a human chain," the students said. They expressed satisfaction that Obaidur had "finally resigned on his own accord" on Thursday.
However, the principal presented a different account of the events. "This morning, while entering the college with my son, we were forcibly taken by local men, Kaiyum Molla and Kamrul Gazi, a member of the college`s governing body, along with some non-students and a few students. They dragged us into a garden, where they beat us with a hammer, injuring both me and my son. They then forced me to sign a resignation letter under duress," Obaidur recounted.
He further alleged that most of the protesters were non-students and accused Kamrul Gazi of holding a grudge after he refused to approve a fraudulent bill for BDT 170,000 submitted by Gazi several months ago. "Gazi and Molla have been targeting me ever since. In the end, they resorted to violence to obtain my resignation. I demand a proper investigation and justice for this attack," he said.
Kamrul Gazi, however, denied these allegations, saying, "I am currently in the Faridpur office, and I have no knowledge of these events. The principal is spreading false propaganda against me." Attempts to reach Molla for comment were unsuccessful.
Salta Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Anisur Rahman Bali confirmed that students had staged a protest demanding Obaidur’s
resignation on September 1. "When we received the news, I, along with the police and army, went to the scene. At that time, the students` complaints were found to be unsubstantiated, and we resolved the issue. The students provided a written statement promising not to protest further," Bali explained.
He condemned the sudden attack on the principal, describing it as "unacceptable and contrary to the current government`s stance." He added that preliminary information suggests the involvement of local figures Kamrul Gazi and Kaiyum Molla in instigating the students and some miscreants. "I have sent the army and police to the scene, and we will conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action," Bali assured.
