Overview
- A group of students allegedly assaulted headmaster Dharmachand Barui following a Teachers’ Day midday meal dispute, and Barui was hospitalised with a head injury after being pushed and struck on Tuesday.
- State and district officials immediately suspended classes for a week, placed the headmaster on 15 days’ leave, and deployed Rapid Action Force personnel to restore discipline on the campus.
- On Friday Education Minister Dipak Barman visited the 150-year-old school, identified four primary accused and directed the District Inspector to issue Transfer Certificates so those students cannot return but can enroll at other schools.
- Coverage says the clash began over complaints about the quantity and distribution of rice and chicken curry at the special meal and that some parents and officials also alleged the headmaster had physically confronted students before the assault.
- Officials told reporters the District Magistrate will review administrative matters and the measures aim to both send a deterrent message about violence in schools and keep the accused students’ education uninterrupted by allowing re-enrolment elsewhere.