Dhaka: Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid on Tuesday said the government is taking the incident of suicide by a student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College (VNSC) seriously as it is very painful for all.

‘I want to say it clearly that we, the Education Ministry, are taking the incidents of suicide as a serious matter. We think this incident… the suicide of the student is very painful to us. We can’t spare it so easily…’ said the minister while talking to reporters in front of the VNSC main gate at the city’s Bailey Road after a visit to it, reports the UNB.

He said, ‘A three-member probe committee has been formed. It’ll find out who was behind it (suicide) and steps will be taken once the report is submitted,’ he said.

The minister also said this type of incident are not acceptable at all and not even such type of relations between teachers and students.

‘Considering the issue as not only psychological but also criminal one, we’ve discussed it with the police and asked them to cooperate with us,’ Nahid said adding, ‘We’ve talked to the victim’s guardians over phone. They’re so shocked that they’re now staying home.’

Aritree Adhikari, daughter of Dilip Adhikari, and a Class-IX student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College, reportedly committed suicide at their Shantinagar residence in the city on Monday after allegedly being rebuked by teachers for using mobile phone during examination.

Earlier in the day, the ministry formed a three-member probe body, led by Prof Mohammad Yusuf, director of Dhaka Regional Education office, at the directive of minister Nahid to investigate the suicide incident.

While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said the two other members of the committee are deputy director Shakhawat Hossain of Dhaka Regional Education office and Dhaka district education officer Benzir Ahmed.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within three days.

Nahid told reporters, ‘We don’t expect such incidents to happen anymore…steps will be taken following the investigation.’