KOCHI : A differently-abled teacher of Maharaja’s College in Kochi was allegedly stabbed and wounded by a student following an argument over the suspension of another student on the campus on Wednesday.
Nizamudheen K M, an assistant professor with the Research Department of Arabic, suffered injuries between his left arm and neck after Mohammed Rashid, a final-year B A Arabic student, allegedly stabbed him with a “sharp weapon.” Nizamudheen, who is partially deaf, alleged Rashid also threatened to kill him.
The Ernakulam Central police have registered a case and launched a probe to nab Rashid, believed to be a member of Fraternity Movement, the student’s wing of Welfare Party. Nizamudheen underwent treatment at the General Hospital for minor injuries.
In his complaint, Nizamudheen said Rashid and his friend Ali entered into an argument with him in the Arabic department on Wednesday noon over the suspension of Bilal, another Fraternity Movement member.
“Realising that the student was not in the right frame of mind, I ended the argument and proceeded to the principal’s chamber. As soon as I reached the stairs, Rashid came up behind me and hit me with an object that looked like a screw-driver or a knife. I couldn’t see it clearly. I saw what looked like blood on the weapon, and thought I was stabbed and checked for injuries,” he said.
Angry over fellow student’s suspension
Rashid was angry at Nizamudheen, as he blamed the teacher for the suspension of Bilal, another student and Fraternity Movement member
Students insisted I lodge plaint with police: Teacher
Nizamudheen said Rashid stabbed him twice in the area between the left arm and below the neck, and also threatened to kill him in two days. He then fled the campus via the back gate.
Nizamudheen, a native of Nilambur, first lodged a complaint with the principal seeking action against the students responsible and ensure security to him. Later, on other students’ insistence, he filed a complaint with the police.
Police said they have launched efforts to nab Rashid, “We have collected the teacher’s statements. The student is absconding. A probe has been launched,” said an officer.
There are reports Rashid nursed a grudge towards Nizamudheen as he held him responsible for the suspension of Bilal. On January 13, Bilal had allegedly assaulted two students of the Arabic department inside the train at Aluva during their study tour to Hyderabad. Following an internal inquiry, the college suspended Bilal. Fraternity Movement workers allege that Nizamudheen, who is also the staff coordinator, was behind his suspension.
On Monday, Bilal’s arrival at the college while under suspension triggered a clash between SFI and Fraternity Movement workers in front of the Arabic department. Following this, Nizamudheen and other teachers sought action against the students involved in the violence.
A student said Rashid and others came to the department on Wednesday noon to talk to Nizamudheen but he was not interested. “This provoked Rashid and he attacked him,” said the student, requesting anonymity.
Nizamudheen said he has no affiliations to any political organisations. “When Bilal was chased by angry students, we gave him refuge inside the department. All nine teachers of the department also sought the suspension of students who attacked Bilal on campus. However, now I have been painted as the culprit behind his suspension,” he said.
Nizamudheen said he was not keen on filing a complaint against Rashid at first. “I did it after students cutting across political affiliations insisted that I file a complaint. They were afraid that if the student can attack a teacher, they too are not safe,” he said.