DB: Raihan used to bring two pistols, 12 knives to campus

The Detective Branch (DB) of police have said two handguns and 12 knives were found in possession of teacher Raihan Sharif, who was arrested in connection with the shooting of Arafat Amin Tamal, a third-year student at Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College in Sirajganj. 

Julhaz Uddin, officer-in-charge of the Detective Branch (DB) of police, disclosed the information in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Julhaz Uddin said: “Two modern foreign pistols of 7.56 bore, 81 bullets, four magazines and 12 foreign knives were recovered from him. These weapons were found in his bag. He came to the medical college with these weapons in his bag. But nothing was found in his house.

"Rayhan Sharif was arrested yesterday (Monday) for shooting the student in the right leg. Later, he was arrested in a case filed by Tamal's father, Abdullah Al Amin. After his arrest, many photos of modern foreign pistols downloaded online were found on his mobile phone. Last night, a raid was conducted at his house to search for more weapons, but no new weapons were found at his residence," he further added.

The OC of DB also said: "Teacher Rayhan Sharif used to download pictures of foreign pistols from the internet whenever he saw them and was inclined towards buying foreign weapons. He admitted during preliminary interrogation that he bought these weapons due to a special attraction to arms."

Sirajganj Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sirajul Islam said: "The two modern foreign pistols recovered from Dr Rayhan Sharif were illegal. DB's SI Abdul Wadud has filed a case under the Arms Control Act for possessing illegal arms."

District Police Superintendent (SP) Arifur Rahman Mondal said: "The weapons were found in his bag. Teacher Rayhan Sharif used to regularly commute to the medical college with these weapons in his bag."

Why did the teacher shoot the student?

Arafat Amin Tamal and his classmates reported that the teacher, Rayhan Sharif, would call students to attend his classes at irregular times despite there was no scheduled classes. 

On Sunday afternoon, he suddenly called Arafat and several other students to attend a class. However, none of the students, including Arafat, attended. 

On Monday, around 3pm, during a forensic viva class, he brought up the previous day's issue and, after arguing with the students, eventually pulled out a pistol from his pocket and fired. 

The bullet hit Arafat in the thigh of his right leg. Hearing his screams, everyone rushed to help and took him to the emergency department of the hospital in an injured state. Later, the students locked the teacher in a room.

Upon receiving the news, the police arrived and took him away along with the pistol.