Govt-aided lower primary school sealed amid protest

Officials of the education department today enforced a court order and sealed a lower primary school at Olavattur in Malappuram district, amid tight police security and protest by locals, police said.
The District Education Officer, who came to implement a Kerala High Court order to close down the more than 85-year-old Mangattumury-aided Lower Primary School this morning, had to face stiff resistance from agitating locals who included members of Parents-Teachers Association and Students Federation of India activists, they said.
They were dispersed by police deployed at the spot, SI Baburaj said, adding that there was no untoward incident.
Later, the officials entered the school premises, secured the documents and effected the closure.

About 25 SFI activists were taken into custody in connection with the protest, the SI said.
About 80 students are studying in the school at present, he said.

(REOPENS DEL-29)
Meanwhile, the manager of the school was taken into
custody late in the evening following a complaint lodged by eduction department officials at the Colonelganj police station of the city.
Additional SP (city) Rajesh Yadav said, "The complainants had alleged that the school manager Zia-ul Haq by his refusal to allow singing of the national anthem and statements issued before the media defending his action has caused breach of peace and tension in the area."

He said complainants had also sought legal action against Haq for running the school "without obtaining permission" from authorities concerned and not closing it down despite issuing of a notice recently.
"We have taken him into custody and further action will follow," the SP added.