Bhagalpur: Villagers Protest Merger of School, Take Teachers Hostage

Bhagalpur: The decision to merge Madhya Vidyalaya Narayanpur, located in Nagarpara North Panchayat of Narayanpur block, with another school has sparked strong opposition from local villagers. On Tuesday, dozens of angry residents gathered at the school premises, staging a protest and holding teachers hostage in defiance of the merger.

Villagers Allege Unfair Merger Without Consent

The protesting villagers argued that the school does not meet the government’s criteria for merger, yet authorities have decided to merge it with Inter-level High School Narayanpur. They further alleged that the decision was made in a secret general meeting by local representatives without consulting the villagers.

One of the primary concerns raised by the protesters is the location of the new school. They claim that it is situated far from their village, and students would have to cross National Highway NH-31 to attend classes, posing a serious safety risk. Fearing potential accidents, the villagers have submitted a signed petition to the District Magistrate and District Education Officer, demanding immediate cancellation of the merger.

“Our Children Will Study Here or Nowhere Else”

During the heated demonstration, parents made it clear that they would not send their children to any other school. “Our children will study here, or they will not go anywhere,” they declared. As tensions escalated, teachers were taken hostage for hours, adding to the intensity of the protest.

School Authorities Caught Off Guard

The school administration was reportedly unaware of the merger decision. The school in-charge stated that they had only received information via WhatsApp regarding the merger and were simply following the instructions of higher officials.

Villagers Warn of Bigger Agitation

So far, the district administration has not taken any concrete steps to address the villagers’ concerns. However, the protesters have warned that if their demands are not met, they will launch a large-scale agitation. With tensions running high, the entire area remains on edge as villagers await the administration’s response.