Nusrat murder: Madrasa principal’s MPO scrapped

Feni madrasa’s principal SM Siraj Ud Doula has been dropped off the monthly pay order (MPO) in connection to the killing of Nusrat Jahan Rafi.

Afsar Uddin, a lecturer of the Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa, was also dropped off the monthly payroll today over the same connection.

Deputy minister for education, Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury approved a note scrapping the facility for the duo – now in jail – in this regard today.

Both of them stands accused in the killing of Nusrat – who was set on fire for reporting sexual assault – an incident that sparked national outrage.

Under MPO, government gives 100 per cent basic pay to the enlisted teachers of non-government schools. They also get a small amount as allowances in the scheme.

Earlier on April 12, the Directorate of Madrasa Education sent letters to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) for scrapping the monthly pay order (MPO) of SM Siraj Ud Doula.

Alongside the principal, the Directorate of Madrasa Education also has written to cancel the MPO of Afsar Uddin, a lecturer of English department of the madrasa.

According to the rules, the DSHE now will issues an order scrapping the MPOs of the two teachers as the accused were arrested earlier and they are now in jail.   

A group of people set Rafi on fire pouring kerosene on her on April 6 as she did not withdraw a sexual assault case despite repeated pressure from the accused.

a total of 18 people including the madrasa principal Siraj have so far been arrested in connection with the arson attack.

Rafi, 18, who was an Alam examinee from the madrasa, lost her battle for life at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, five days after she was set afire -- an incident that touched off outrage all over the country.

Following the incident, the principal of the madrasa was suspended and a three-member probe body was formed to investigate the matter.