VITTAL : The unauthorized Shastriji High School that was operating in the building of the Periyaltadka aided school was finally closed down on Monday after a clash ensued between two rival groups in front of the school. The police had to even resort to lathi charge to quell the mob. The school was later locked up and sealed by the education department officials after holding talks with the political leaders,
The school was being run by teacher Harsha Shastri and his wife Usha Lakshmi since the past six years with due support of some local Congressmen, despite the education department and court orders to close it down.
Last Monday, the school was reopened in clear violation of the warning by the DDPI Chamegowda and other officials who visited the school.
It is a fact that the local BJP and Congress parties used the Periyaltadka School which has a history of a century, to nurture their vengeance. On Monday the school was to open as usual when one group tried to prevent students from attending this unauthorized school. The Congressmen, who opposed this, too gathered at the scene resulting in a tussle between the two groups.
Even the appeal by the local MLA Mallika Prasad, to close down the illegal school went unheeded. The police finally arrived at the spot and resorted to lathi charge to quell the mob. Even the DDPI Chamegowda arrived at the spot and confirmed that there was an order to close down the school.
If Congress leader Vinay Kumar Sorake made an appeal against closure of the school in the interests of the students, BJP men under the leadership of RSS leader Kalladka Prabhaker Bhat demanded that the unauthorized school be immediately closed.
Finally, the education officials discharged their duty by sealing the school building. Later speaking to reporters, the DDPI said the students studying in 6th and 7th standards in the school would be admitted to the nearby schools, while arrangements would be made to provide good education to the ninth and tenth standard students in accordance to their merit.
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