Locals and the victimized family staged a human chain in Ghoraghat, Dinajpur, expressing outrage over the inaction against Selina Akter, an assistant teacher at Birahimpur Government Primary School, whose alleged corporal punishment left a third-grade student's right arm seriously injured and nearly incapacitated.
On Monday at around 11:00 AM, the victimized student's father, Chaidur Rahman, held a press conference at the upazila's T&T Mor area demanding exemplary punishment for the accused teacher. Following the press conference, a human chain demanding justice was organized with the participation of Rover Scout members from Ghoraghat Government College and members of the victim's family.
The victim's father, Chaidur Rahman, stated that assistant teacher Selina Akter frequently subjected students to physical punishment. His daughter, third-grader Sumaiya Akter, suffered severe injuries to her right arm due to the teacher's steel cane beatings. The arm subsequently swelled up and lost its normal functionality. For the past five months, Sumaiya has been unable to hold a pen or write, and she cannot even perform basic tasks like eating with her own hand or dressing herself. She is currently under the care of an orthopedic specialist, who noted that a full recovery could take a long time.
The family further alleged that nearly two months after Sumaiya's assault, on September 16, 2026, the same teacher was accused of forcing third-grade students to tuck their heads under desks while beating them on their backs. During that incident, a student named Sanjida fell seriously ill and vomited multiple times.
Read nextBanned Awami League Leader Masud Rana Arrested in Sherpur Under Special Powers ActA written complaint regarding the incident was filed with the Upazila Primary Education Office on September 16, prompting Upazila Assistant Education Officer Abdul Wakil to conduct an on-site investigation. Relevant offices stated that the investigation report along with supporting documents has been forwarded to the District Primary Education Officer. However, the victim's family lamented that two months have passed since the complaint was lodged without any visible administrative action.
Seeking justice, Chaidur Rahman detailed the ordeal during the press conference. Solidarity was expressed by Rover Scout members of Ghoraghat Government College and local relatives who joined the human chain at T&T Mor.
Speakers at the human chain remarked that educational institutions are supposed to be safe havens for children. They expressed deep concern that students face torture at the hands of teachers and called it unfortunate that no proper resolution has been reached despite a child's normal life and future being compromised. They demanded a prompt and impartial investigation, exemplary punishment for those responsible, and guaranteed physical and mental safety for children in schools.
When contacted regarding the allegations, assistant teacher Selina Akter responded, "I have nothing to say about this. I have been at this school for 20 years, and no one has ever made a complaint before. I do not wish to make any comments on why these allegations have been brought against me."
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Manjurul Alam, Parbatipur Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
