Students of Nowagaon High School in Masauli village under the Unakoti district in Tripura hit the streets on Wednesday in protest against the transfer of a teacher of their school.
The aggrieved students blocked the Kanchanbari-Masauli road demanding cancellation of the transfer order of the school teacher, Rahul Dabnath.
Local sources reported, the village echoed with chants of “Rahul Sir must not be transferred, must not be transferred,” as students, some as young as primary level, brandished placards and blocked the Kanchanbari-Masauli road.
Their demonstration was a direct response to the Education Department’s order to transfer their teacher to Phultali High School, which they learned about earlier in the week.
The students’ resolve was clear: they would not allow their mentor to be taken away from their school.
Despite their protests within the school premises falling on deaf ears, the students took their fight to the public space, effectively bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
Their slogans intensified as the day progressed, with local residents joining in solidarity with the young protesters.
According to the agitating students, Rahul Debnath, teaching at Nowagaon for several years, has gained a reputation among his students for his dedication and teaching prowess.
His transfer order was seen not just as a personal loss but as a blow to the educational quality that the students expect.
Students expressed their dismay, stating that they would not accept his transfer and warned of escalating their actions if the order wasn’t rescinded.
The ripple effect of this student-led blockade was immediate. Traffic was halted, and commuters remained stranded on both sides of the road, awaiting resolution.
The local police from Fatikchara station, along with officials from the Kumarghat School Inspector’s office, were dispatched to manage the situation.
After negotiations that lasted through the morning, a temporary agreement was reached. The students agreed to suspend their protest upon receiving assurances that the transfer would be put on hold for fifteen days to allow for further discussion and reconsideration.
This protest not only disrupted daily life but also put pressure on local governance to revisit educational decisions that directly affect the community’s youth.
Local leaders and educational authorities have now promised to engage in dialogue to find a solution that respects both administrative logistics and the sentiments of the students.
(Tripura, Northeast)
