Assam School Suspends Students Over Hostel Assault Incident

Incident at PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya

Nalbari, June 29: Three students from Class 10 have been suspended for 15 days following allegations of assaulting junior students at the PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Assam's Nalbari district.

The principal, Mintu Chakraborty, confirmed the suspension on Monday, stating that despite calls for their transfer, the students will remain at the school as they are preparing for their Class 10 board exams.

Chakraborty explained, "We have decided to suspend the three students and prohibit them from staying in the hostel. Although there was pressure to transfer them, we chose this course of action to avoid disrupting their academic year."

He also mentioned that these students would not be allowed to enroll in Class 11 after their board exams.

"This is the disciplinary action we have taken. A meeting with teachers and parents is scheduled for today to discuss the incident, identify weaknesses, and implement measures to enhance discipline and academic performance," he added.

Addressing concerns about previous incidents, the principal noted that a similar occurrence had taken place two years ago under the former administration.

"Since my arrival, this is the first significant incident of this nature," he remarked.

Reports indicate that a group of senior students attacked several students from Classes 7 and 8 in the hostel on Friday night, leading to a swift response from police and security personnel to manage the situation.

Meanwhile, the mother of one of the alleged victims expressed her concerns, stating that bullying and physical violence by older students had become a persistent issue in the hostel.

"On Thursday night, we were contacted by the school to take our son home for a few days. The housemaster feared for his safety, suggesting that senior students might target him again. This raises serious concerns about the environment if even the teachers feel threatened by the students," she claimed.

Seeking justice for her son, she shared that the incident has profoundly affected their family.

"My son is now reluctant to return to school. We are anxious about his safety. Each time the school calls, we have to rush over, which is not feasible every time. We enrolled him here for his education, but such incidents have been occurring frequently. We hope for positive outcomes from today's meeting," she stated.

The school administration plans to reassess its disciplinary policies and incorporate suggestions from the upcoming meeting with parents and teachers to enhance student safety and campus discipline.

No formal complaint has been filed with the police, and thus, no FIR has been registered in this matter.