September 21, 2018: Kherenbari Navodaya Vidyalaya of North Tripura District came into limelight once again for wrong reasons. All through the day, the school witnessed chaos as students went on hunger strike protesting against ‘termination’ of a teacher from the job in the School.
On earlier occasion, complaints against the school authority for forcing students to do manual works like carrying sand-filled sacks etc created resentment among the guardians and local people.
The School authority came under pressure from students since last night. Trouble started as students refused to take dinner after knowing about termination from job of a teacher yesterday by the school authority headed by principal RK Meena.
The situation turned chaotic today as students lined up and sat in hunger strike. Speaking to media, agitating students demanded cancellation of termination order served by RK Meena to one of the Physical Instructor (PI) Jiban Barman. According to available information, there were behavioral aberrations between a female and two male teachers of the School. As Jiban Barman protested the behaviors unbecoming of a teacher, concerned male teachers allegedly complained to the Principal against Jiban Barman which ultimately led to termination of Jiban Barman.
As the agitating students were continuing their hunger strike, pressure built up on the School authority. The Principal maintained a stoic silence as media persons were asking about reasons behind the termination of Barman. Following the complaints from the students that they were feeling insecure, media personnel called up District Police and informed him about on-going standoff in the school.
Later, police from Churaibari PS led by B Debbarma reached the spot. Also, Additional DM, SDM, SDPO and other officials of the local administration visited the school and held meeting with Principal RK Meena. Coming under pressure from students and local people, school authority ultimately withdrew the termination order.
Although agitation was withdrawn, students demanded restoration of proper academic environment in the institute and intervention of higher authorities to ensure smooth functioning of school.
