Female student found critically injured on Char Monai Darbar Mohila Madrasah premises, family alleges bullying
Madrasah authorities claim she jumped from the building, she remained unconscious after 18 hours
A female student of the Nazera department at Char Monai Darbar Sharif Qawmi Mohila Madrasah in Barishal was admitted to hospital after being found critically injured on the madrasa premises. Eighteen hours after the incident, she remained unconscious.
The student, Rima Akter, was taken to Dhaka by ambulance from Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital around 2pm today (23 May) for advanced treatment.
The incident took place yesterday night (22 May) around 9pm at the Char Monai madrasah building.
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Her family alleged that she may have faced planned bullying or abuse after raising allegations against a teacher at the madrasah. However, madrasah authorities claimed she jumped from the building in an attempt to take her own life.
Riyon, the injured student's brother, said the family received a call from the madrasah around 10pm on Friday and was asked to urgently go to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital.
"After reaching the hospital, the teachers who brought her there first said it was a road accident. Later, they said she had tried to take her own life by jumping from the sixth floor of the madrasa building," he said.
"My sister had no reason to jump from the sixth floor. On 5 May, Rima prepared a written complaint against her class teacher. I was also called to the madrasah over the matter. I apologised to the madrasah authorities on her behalf. She may have faced bullying inside the madrasah over the issue," he added.
Two other relatives accompanying the family said Rima was a highly talented student who wanted to continue her studies and do well in life.
"She was mentally strong. So why would she jump from the sixth floor? Who saw her jump? There may be something else behind the incident," one of them said.
Belal Hossain, a madrasah teacher who accompanied the injured student to the hospital, said they rescued her on Friday night.
"She was lying on sand below the six-storey building. I cannot say exactly what happened. However, the madrasa ayas told us she had jumped," he said.
