Villagers stand up for principal, lock school

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 20 

High drama was witnessed at Behlolpur village when residents locked the Government High School following the transfer of its headmistress today. 

The residents did not allow the new headmistress to join duty at the school and staged a protest. Even students came out of their classes when they got to know that their headmistress, Alka Mahajan, had been transferred to the government school at Jayanti Majri and new headmistress Archana Rani had come to join in her place. Alka Mahajan was on station leave today. 

On getting information, several residents of the village, including panchayat members, reached the school and locked its gate amid sloganeering. “We didn’t allow the new headmistress to join as we were fully satisfied with the working of the present headmistress, who has been doing very well for the school. She has been transferred to adjust the new headmistress,” said the residents, who have written to the District Education Officer for stopping the transfer of Alka Mahajan. 

Meanwhile, the DEO (Secondary), SS Sidhu, said he was not aware of locking of the school by villagers. “The order of transfer has been issued by the higher authorities. I am yet to receive any letter from residents of the village in this connection,” said Sidhu. 

Punjab Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary has ordered the DEO to submit his report on the entire episode in this connection.