KOZHIKODE: Tense situation prevailed in front of Malaparamba UP School on Thursday as the school protection committee members prevented assistant education officer (AEO) K S Kusumam from entering the school to execute the Kerala High Court’s order to close down it.
Though police were present on the occasion, residents along with the committee members prevented the AEO from entering the school.
Expressing solidarity with the protestors, A Pradeep Kumar MLA has submitted a petition to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealing to look into the matter. “I am having high hopes that this government would take the necessary steps to take over the school,” he said adding that if the school is not protected then over 1,400 schools in the state will face the same fate.
The AEO said she would enter the school only if she was given adequate police protection. The court order had to be executed within May 27 but as the situation remained hostile she would submit a report to the High Court on Friday. The protestors made it clear that they would resist any further attempt by the AEO to enter the school. “This school has to function because this is a school for the common people. The government should take all necessary steps to ensure it,” said a parent of a student.