College principal attacked with hammer, forced to resign in Faridpur

The principal of Nabokam Pally College in Faridpur's Saltha upazila has been attacked with a hammer and forced to resign allegedly by the followers of two local Awami League leaders, including some students.

The incident happened around 10am on Thursday, a video of which went viral on social media.

Several students of the college told The Business Standard that the pro-Awami League principal, Md Obaidur Rahman, has been involved in various corrupt activities since joining the college. He used police force to harass students during the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

They said since the ouster of the Awami League government, they have been demanding Obaidur's resignation, and also formed a human chain. 

Photo: Courtesy

Obaidur said two men, Lalon and Monir – followers of two influential local Awami League leaders Kaiyum Molla and Kamrul Gazi, who is a governing body member of the college – along with several students on Thursday morning forcefully took him and his son to a garden adjacent to the college and attacked with a hammer.

At one stage, Obaidur was compelled to sign his resignation paper, he said.

He said those who demanded his resignation were not students. Kamrul Gazi perpetrated the incident over a personal feud.

Obaidur demanded a fair investigation into the incident.

Denying such allegations, Kamrul Gazi said he was not aware of the incident, while Kaiyum Molla could not be reached for comment.

Saltha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Anisur Rahman said earlier on 1 September the students formed a human chain demanding Obaidur's resignation. The matter was then settled, and the students said they would not demonstrate further demanding the principal's resignation. 

Condemning the attack on Obaidur, the UNO said some unidentified people were behind the incident. 

"On information, the army and police have been sent to the spot. The incident will be investigated, and legal action will be taken in this regard," he added.