A primary school teacher was shot dead by unidentified assailants while he was on his way to school in North Dinajpur district on Saturday morning, triggering tension and concern in the area. The deceased has been identified as Nazrul Islam, 55, acting headmaster of Rajabhim Primary School in Ramganj. The incident took place in the Madaripur area near Srikrishnapur under the Islampur subdivision.
According to the local source, Nazrul left his home on Saturday morning as usual to attend school. When he reached the premises of a petrol pump in the Madaripur area, two men allegedly riding a motorcycle approached him. One of them reportedly opened fire at Nazrul before the assailants fled the spot. Nazrul sustained a gunshot injury to his abdomen and collapsed. Hearing the sound of gunfire, local residents rushed to the spot and rescued him. He was initially taken to Islampur Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment. However, as his condition deteriorated, he was referred to a private nursing home in Siliguri, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to the victim’s family, Nazrul was shot on the right side of his abdomen. His wife told local media that residents had rushed him to the hospital in a critical condition, but the family was later informed that he had died.
Nazrul’s nephew, Mohammad Belal, said the family was unable to understand why the school teacher had been targeted. “My uncle was not involved in politics and had no known enemies. We cannot understand why someone would shoot a school principal like this,” he added.
A local shopkeeper, Mohammad Ismail, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, said he heard a sudden gunshot and came out of his shop. “I saw Nazrul Babu sitting on his motorcycle with a bullet injury. Two people were fleeing on another motorcycle. Despite being seriously injured, he tried to turn his motorcycle and chase them, but he could not go far. He lost his balance and fell on the road,” Ismail stated.
The incident sparked panic among local residents, with police subsequently deployed in the area to prevent any further disturbance. Police officials have launched an investigation into the killing and are questioning eyewitnesses and other people who may have information about the incident.
Investigators are also expected to examine available CCTV footage to identify the assailants and determine the motive behind the shooting.
Islampur police station Inspector-in-Charge Shubham Karmakar said an investigation was underway and that witnesses were being questioned. The motive behind the murder and the identity of the assailants remain unclear.
