Two Teachers Arrested for Attempting to Build Toilet by Demolishing Shaheed Minar, Later Released on Bail

Two teachers from Kusharikona Government Primary School in Monirampur Upazila, Jashore, were arrested for allegedly attempting to demolish the Shaheed Minar of Kaminidanga Secondary Girls’ School to construct a toilet. However, after being presented in court, the judge granted them bail.

The arrested individuals are Abdur Rashid, the head teacher of Kusharikona Government Primary School, and Sukumar Mallik, an assistant teacher at the same institution.

Kaminidanga Secondary Girls’ School and Kusharikona Government Primary School share a common field. Around 30 years ago, Kaminidanga Secondary Girls’ School built a Shaheed Minar in one corner of the field. Since then, teachers and students from both schools have been paying tribute to the martyrs of the International Mother Language Day at this monument.

On February 11, Kamrul Hasan, an assistant teacher of Kaminidanga Secondary Girls’ School, filed a case against Abdur Rashid and Sukumar Mallik in court. Taking the matter into consideration, the court issued arrest warrants against them. On Tuesday night, the police arrested both teachers, and on Wednesday, they were presented before the Jashore Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, where the judge granted them bail.

According to the case statement and local sources, on January 15, Abdur Rashid initiated the demolition of the Shaheed Minar to construct a toilet (washroom) at that location. Despite objections from Kaminidanga Secondary Girls’ School, the construction attempt continued, leading to dissatisfaction among the school’s teachers, staff, and students. Following this, the school authorities lodged a complaint against the head teacher of Kusharikona Government Primary School and another individual with the Upazila Executive Officer.

Subsequently, Abu Mottalib Alam, the Upazila Primary Education Officer, conducted an on-site investigation. Upon confirming the allegations, he issued a show-cause notice to Abdur Rashid.

Monirampur Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Nur Mohammad Gazi, stated that the teachers were arrested late Tuesday night after the issuance of the arrest warrant and were later presented in court, where they obtained bail.