Students from Hari Radha Vidya Mandir in the Hadrai area of Teliamura in Tripura staged a demonstration on Monday in protest against reported harassment and mental abuse experienced by two girl students of the School and their project co-incharge during a train journey.
The students boycotted classes on Monday to sit in front of the school, demanding justice for the harassment incident that occurred during a recent train journey from Teliamura to Pencharthal railway station.
The ordeal unfolded when Paritosh Pal, the project co-incharge of the school decided to personally accompany the two hostel-residing students to ensure their safety during the train journey.
Concerns over their security if they traveled alone prompted his decision. However, shortly after boarding the train, Pal and two girl students were allegedly subjected to mental harassment and intimidation by a group of men and women.
According to sources, the group taunted and questioned the relationship between the students and Pal, despite latter’s efforts to clarify the situation.
Pal reportedly presented all necessary documentation to prove his role as their escort and caretaker, but the harassment continued unabated.
Attempts to involve the students’ families initially resulted in little support, as some family members dismissed the complaints, citing distant familial connections.
At Mungiakami station, they were handed over to the police, who, after receiving a detailed account, relocated them to another compartment for safety.
However, the nightmare resumed near Kumarghat station, where a crowd of approximately 200 individuals intercepted them for further questioning.
The confrontation reportedly caused immense mental distress to the students and their project co-incharge. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Pal contacted the students’ families once again. This time, the families intervened and managed to rescue them before any further harm could occur.
The day after the incident, on Monday morning, Paritosh Pal formally lodged a complaint at the Teliamura Railway Police Station. The complaint included the names of those allegedly involved in the harassment, sparking outrage among the school’s students and staff.
As news of the ordeal spread, students of Hari Radha Vidya Mandir mobilized early in the morning to stage a protest in front of the school premises. Holding placards and chanting slogans, they demanded justice for their peers and the swift identification and punishment of the perpetrators. The protest was marked by a united front as students boycotted classes entirely, choosing to stand in solidarity with the victims.
One of the protesting students remarked, “We cannot sit quietly when our fellow students and a respected teacher were humiliated and harassed. This is not just about them; it’s about everyone’s safety while traveling. We demand justice and accountability.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many expressing outrage over the harassment and the lack of immediate action by bystanders during the train journey.
Parents of the students joined the protest later in the day, echoing demands for justice and stricter measures to ensure the safety of passengers, especially women and young students, on public transport.
(Tripura, Northeast)
