Two arrested in Naogaon's Mahadevpur school hijab controversy case

Nuruzzaman Liton, District Representative, Naogaon

Police have arrested two people in a case of spreading rumors about hijab on Facebook against a Hindu teacher in Mahadevpur of Naogaon district. They have been accused of trying to sabotage communal harmony. They were sent to Naogaon Court on Friday afternoon, April 15.

The arrested persons are QM Saeed Tito, a resident of Mahadevpur Upazila Sadar and Kazi Samshuzzoha Milon, a resident of Kushar Center area.

They were arrested in a raid in Boipatti and Kushar Center areas of Naogaon around 3:30 pm on Thursday. The matter has been confirmed by Mahadevpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Azam Uddin Mahmud.

The OC also said that Amodini Pal, assistant headmaster of Daul Barbakpur High School, filed a case with the police. Police then arrested Tito and Milon. The other accused in the case are Dharani Kant Barman, headmaster of the school, Mahmudul Hasan Sumon, president and Salauddin Ahmed, a resident of Gaherpur village in Porsha upazila of the district. Another 20 to 25 unidentified people have been charged, the police official said.

Police investigating officer SI Shaminul Islam said the operation was continuing. It was not possible to arrest the other accused as they were fugitives.

Naogaon Superintendent of Police Abdul Mannan Mia said police were working to bring those involved under the law.

Mahadevpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mizanur Rahman Milon said that behind the alleged hijab debate, there is conflict and irregularities in the school managing committee. Legal action will be taken against the culprits subject to investigation.