Teachers of Sher-e-Bangla Balika Mahavidyalaya (previously known as Mark Sikkha Mandir) on Monday formed a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club demanding exemplary punishment for expelled Awami League leader Mohammad Riaz Uddin Riaz over allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct.

Speakers in the human chain said that since Riaz, former office secretary of the ruling party’s Dhaka South City unit, joined as the president of the governing body of the traditional educational institution on October 29, 2021, various untoward incidents took place in the school, reads a press release.

At various times he created a terrible atmosphere in the institution for the sake of the powerful person. Teachers and students have been constantly harassed by his immoral behavior and as a result, the number of female students in the school decreased at one point, they said.

The participants of the human chain also said that parents did not send girls to school in fear of physical abuse and female teachers were subjected to sexual harassment as well.

They said acting principal Md Tofail Ahmed, teachers Fatema Akhtar, Tahmina Akhtar, Salma Begum, Zakia Ahmed, Bina Akhtar, Monira Sharmin, Afroza Yasmin, Ayesha Siddiqa and Amina Begum supported Riaz’s evil activities.

According to them, the whole issue was informed to the local lawmaker Kazi Firoz Rashid and the Prime Minister’s Office and consequently the AL leader became bound to resign from his post.

The agitating teachers alleged Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education for conducting a farcical investigation over the matter and didn’t hear the statements of the victims.

They demanded a fresh investigation committee comprising of Anti-Corruption Commission, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka Education Board, representatives of local MP to dig out the truth.

Senior teacher Hamida Akhtar, assistant teacher Akalima Akhtar, Syeda Mehnaz Nayara, Aleya Akhtar, Rekha Mandal Dina, among others, addressed the human chain.