Locals set Pabna women’s madrasah ablaze over alleged sexual assault

Locals vandalised and set fire to a residential women’s madrasah in Pabna district headquarters on Friday following allegations that its director attempted to rape a 16-year-old student.

The accused, Abu Yusuf, 55, was detained by locals and later handed over to police.

According to the victim and her classmates, the student went out of her room to use the toilet early in the morning when the teacher allegedly dragged her into his room and attempted to rape her.

Another student witnessed the incident, raised the alarm and alerted people nearby. Locals then rushed to rescue the girl.

As news of the alleged assault spread, an angry crowd vandalised the madrasah and set fire to the premises, eyewitnesses said. 

Police evacuated the other students to safety.

Pabna Superintendent of Police Abu Ashraf visited the scene after being informed of the incident. 

He said arrangements had been made for the victim’s medical examination and that other students had been safely handed over to their families.

The SP said efforts were underway to calm the angry crowd and that the accused was taken into police custody. 

The victim’s uncle said the family would file a case over the incident.