MALAPPURAM: Close on the heels of the Malaparamba AUP school incident in Kozhikode, the parents and local residents of Mangattumuri in Pulikkal panchayat , Malappuram, blocked the government’s move to shut down the aided lower primary school on Saturday. Tension prevailed on the school premises as the protesters prevented a team led by the Kondotty AEO Mr. K. Ashish from entering the school to execute the Kerala High Court order to close down the school before May 30.
As per the court direction to the education department authorities, around 30 police men were also present to help the execution of the order. However, the protestors were determined to protect the 86-year-old school and kept them at bay.
“Due to the strong protests by the school protection committee, we couldn’t act on the High Court order on Saturday. We will report the situation to the court when it takes up the case again on May 31,” the AEO said.
Earlier, the High Court had ordered to shut down the school before March 31. But the parents and activists prevented Headmaster P.K. Ramesh from handing over the official documents to manager T.P. Muneera. The court has given an ultimatum to the government to shut the school before May 31.
“The school has 73 students and does not come under the uneconomic category. There might be other reasons behind the manager’s decision to close the school,” said Mr. Ashish.
