Dr Asma Sadia Runa, chairperson and associate professor of the department of social welfare at Islamic University in Kushtia, was stabbed to death in her office on Wednesday by a university employee.
The department employee, Fazlur Rahman, attempted to take his own life after the incident and has been admitted to hospital.
According to reports, the incident was linked to a dispute over salary and departmental transfer. Fazlur Rahman allegedly attacked Asma Sadia Runa with a knife, targeting her neck, before inflicting injuries on himself.
The attack occurred around 4:00 pm at the Social Welfare Department under the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies.
Hossain Imam, the residential medical officer (RMO) at Kushtia General Hospital, confirmed the incident to Dhaka Tribune. Authorities have launched an investigation into the case, while the university community remains in shock over the violent incident.
The RMO stated that the teacher was alive when brought to the hospital’s emergency unit. However, she died shortly after being admitted to the ward, as treatment had just begun. She had suffered multiple injuries to his head and neck, and excessive blood loss caused her death. Another male has also been brought in, whose condition remains critical and is currently under treatment.”
Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Superintendent of Police in Kushtia, said, “This is a very tragic incident. The teacher has died, and the injured staff member is receiving medical care.”
Investigations revealed that the accused employee had not been receiving his salary for a long time. A few days ago, after an altercation with the department chairman over this issue, he was recently transferred from the Department of Social Welfare to the Political Science Department. It is believed that this frustration may have motivated the attack on Asma Sadia.
An Ansar member on duty at the building reported that at the time of the incident, four security personnel were conversing on the ground floor along with three to four civilians. Suddenly, they heard someone shouting for help and immediately rushed upstairs. Upon reaching the chairman’s office, they knocked on the door but received no response. Forcing the door open, they discovered the teacher lying face down, bleeding. They also found the employee with a self-inflicted stab wound to his neck. The incident was promptly reported to the authorities.
Mahmud, a student of the department of Social Welfare, stated that Fazlur was transferred nearly two months ago. However, he could not come to terms with it, which led to considerable tension and disputes. “We never anticipated that the situation would escalate to this level,” Mahmud added.
"Habib Sir had been present in the department earlier, he had left for the dormitory just 30 minutes prior. Our program was scheduled to begin at 5 PM, and during that period, no staff or officials were present in the department. Taking advantage of this, he carried out this tragic act. The teacher’s room had not been locked beforehand; Fazlur entered and locked it afterward,” he added.
