A teacher was allegedly assaulted in public in Barishal’s Uzirpur upazila, with accusations brought against a local Swechchhasebak Dal leader. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation after a video of the assault circulated on social media.
The victim, Uttam Kumar, is a teacher at Harta School and College in Uzirpur. According to local sources, the attack took place on Saturday afternoon (February 14) at Harta Bazar. It is alleged that Mohammad Sirajul Islam Foraji, member secretary of the union Swechchhasebak Dal, led the assault.
Witnesses said the teacher was later taken to a nearby under-construction building, where he was beaten further, before being rescued by residents.
Locals claim the incident was triggered by the circulation of photos on social media allegedly showing the teacher in close contact with a young woman. However, Uttam Kumar denied any wrongdoing, stating that the woman is not his student and that both families had agreed to their marriage. He also said he does not know who took and shared the photos.
The accused, Mohammad Sirajul Islam Foraji, told journalists that photos involving the teacher and a student had surfaced about four months ago and described the assault as a form of “punishment.”
Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rakibul Islam of Uzirpur Model Police Station said police visited the scene after the video went viral, and that the matter is under investigation.
The incident has sparked strong public reaction, with many calling for a thorough probe and accountability.
