KOZHIKODE: The Onam feast planned to be held on Friday at the BEM School, Puthiyara here was spoiled by anti-social elements on Thursday night. Some of the dishes prepared on Thursday were contaminated with human excreta and the floral carpet was destroyed. Though the Kasaba police suspect a theft attempt by a single person, PTA president K.P. Madhusoodanan said that more people were involved in it, considering the damage done. Headmistress Nancy Prameela said the computer room with nearly six personal computers was not opened. It was a bid to sabotage the Onam celebration, she added.
However, the timely intervention of District Collector N. Prasanth ensured Onasadya for the students, teachers and guests. As per the directions of the collector, the Hotel and Restaurants Association brought feast for nearly 500 people and they served it by 1 p.m, as planned earlier. “There had been attacks by anti-social elements on the school earlier also, but they never tried to get inside the building. This looks like an attempt to spoil the celebration,” said the headmistress.
Kasaba CI P. Pramod said that it seemed like a theft attempt since a camera costing around Rs 8.000 was missing and all the cupboards in the office room were searched by the accused. There were incidents similar to this where the thieves spoil the furniture and building with excreta when they fail to get any major goods, he said. Health inspectors collected the samples of the white powder that was spread on the food items. Police and forensic experts also collected evidence The school closed on Friday for Onam holidays after the celebrations.
