Pabna school closed over ‘toilet ghost’ panic

A government primary school in Pabna has closed down over “toilet ghost” panic following death of a minor girl in Chatmohar upazila.

Today, frantic in efforts for ridding the school of this “ghost,” locals have tried voodoo including blood sacrifice and other means.

On Wednesday, a grade five student of Bordanagar Govt. Primary School, Rumi Khatun, 11, fell sick after going inside a toilet of the school, the headmaster said.

She died on Thursday while undergoing treatments at Chatmohar Upazila Health Complex.

After that some eight to 10 children of the school fell sick whenever they go near the toilet, said Md Rafikul Islam, the headmaster.

“The ghost panic spread quickly and everybody stopped coming to the school since Thursday. The school has been closed since.”

Today, chairman of the Saikola union parishad concerned, Ataur Rahman Tota, visited the school and arranged a Milad Mahfil to rid the ghost. “We have sacrificed a ghost this afternoon.”

“People use to believe that there is a ghost in the school as there was a long palm tree rumoured to have a ghost many years ago,” he said.

“After the schoolgirl died, locals believe that it was the same ghost now taking shelter in the toilet. That is why we have taken a step to remove the ghost from the school.”

Chatmohar Upazula Nirbahi Officer (UNO) visited the spot on this evening also talked with the locals seeking cooperation to remove the fear of ghost.