Jharkhand students protest headmaster’s transfer, pelt stones at police station; cop injured

The situation escalated after the block chief, who had arrived at the site to persuade the protesting students to end the blockade, was accused of slapping a student. Representational pic/PTI

Students of Plus Two High School in Kandi block of Jharkhand's Garhwa district staged a road blockade and later resorted to stone-pelting at the local police station on Thursday to protest the transfer of the school's acting headmaster, Malay Kumar Singh.

A policeman was injured in the stone-pelting, news agency IANS reported.

Protest escalates after student allegedly slapped

The situation escalated after the block chief, who had arrived at the site to persuade the protesting students to end the blockade, was accused of slapping a student. The incident triggered outrage among the students and further intensified the protest.

According to the students, Malay Kumar Singh had joined the school nearly two months ago and had significantly improved academic standards and discipline on the campus. They have demanded that his transfer order be cancelled and that he be retained at the Kandi school.

Students cite teacher shortage

The protesters claimed that around 2,000 students are enrolled at the school, which is already facing a shortage of 17 teachers across various subjects.

The students argued that the allegations levelled against the headmaster were unfounded and that his transfer would adversely affect the functioning of the institution.

Block chief's vehicle vandalised

Following information about the road blockade, the block chief reached the spot to hold talks with the students. However, after he allegedly slapped a student during the interaction, the crowd became agitated.

The protesters later vandalised the block chief's vehicle before moving towards the police station, where they allegedly hurled stones. A policeman sustained injuries in the incident.

Additional police deployed

In view of the deteriorating situation, the police deployed additional personnel in the area and took steps to bring the situation under control.

The students are demanding not only the cancellation of the headmaster's transfer but also action against the block chief over the alleged assault on a student.

Police and administrative officials are currently holding talks with the students in an effort to restore normalcy in the area.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)