The torture of a fifth-grade student at Lohagara Model Government Primary School in Narail has sparked widespread public outrage. Allegations have surfaced that the student was victimized because he refused to enroll in private coaching sessions offered by school teachers. Furthermore, local groups are reportedly attempting to suppress the allegations to protect the accused.
The victim’s family reported that assistant teacher Rani Chakraborty severely beat 11-year-old Krishna Haldar with a blackboard duster over a trivial matter. The child sustained visible injuries and required medical treatment from a local physician.
Additionally, the family alleged that another teacher, Deepak Kumar, physically assaulted the same student on April 1. The incident gained national attention after a video of the torture went viral on social media on April 6, prompting the Department of Primary Education to launch an investigation.
Local residents claim the violence is linked to a private tuition syndicate. "The student was targeted because he didn't take private lessons from those two teachers," stated a local youth, Shimul, on social media. Another resident, Tipu, alleged that the school staff frequently pressures students into private coaching and collects unauthorized fees under various pretexts.
A three-member investigation committee, led by Lohagara Upazila Assistant Primary Education Officer Golam Rabbani and including Dibakar Kumar Nag and Debashish Singh, has been formed. The team has already recorded statements from the school staff and the victim’s family.
However, the family reports they are being intimidated by influential figures to withdraw their complaint. Threats have reportedly been made to force them out of their home, leaving the family in a state of extreme insecurity as the investigation continues.
