Churaibari, August 5: In yet another instance of road blockade becoming a common form of protest in Tripura, students of South Phulbari High School under Churaibari Police Station in North Tripura locked the school gate and staged a road blockade on Tuesday morning. The protest erupted over the transfer of the school’s only biology teacher, Malati Reang.
Agitated students prevented teachers from leaving the premises and blocked the road stretching from Churaibari Railway Station to Kherengjuri, demanding immediate withdrawal of the transfer order.
According to school authorities, the institution has long been suffering from a shortage of teaching staff. With nearly 350 students enrolled from classes VI to X, only seven teachers, including the headmaster, are currently serving. The recent transfer of Malati Reang to Sribhumi High School in Dewapasha came as a shock to students, especially ahead of their scheduled examinations from August 8.
Speaking to the media, students expressed concern that the removal of the only biology teacher would severely impact their academic performance. “We are not against transfers, but not when we are just days away from exams,” said one of the protesting students.
Upon receiving information, officials from Churaibari Police Station and Deputy Inspector Abhimanyu Malakar from the Kadamtala Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office reached the site to engage with the protestors. However, their initial attempts at negotiation failed.
Later, following a telephonic conversation with district OSD Sameer Ranjan Nath, authorities assured the students that Malati Reang would remain posted at South Phulbari High School until the conclusion of examinations. Students were also advised to submit a formal representation for a long-term resolution.
Following the assurance, the protest was called off around 2:30 PM, and the school gate was unlocked. Normalcy returned soon after.
