Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 29: Students of a primary school in remote Rajwar area of Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district are bearing the brunt of tussle between a contractor and Education Department over compensation and jobs.
The students of a primary school in Rainawari in Krumboora village of Rajwar are studying in a rented room despite newly constructed school building. The three room school building, however, has been occupied by a contractor, Syed Ali Barkat who is at logger heads with Education Department over the compensation and jobs.
The contractor is using the building for his own benefits and has turned its rooms into cowshed and kitchen while he has also dumped wood in it. An official said the contractor, who had donated land for the construction of the school in 2013, was promised compensation and two jobs- cook and sweeper – for his kin by the then Zonal Education Officer (ZEO). “However he wasn’t provided with job. This has enraged him and he has now occupied the building and is making its personal use,” he said.
According to officials, the school has 40 students and two teachers. Due to the occupation of school building, they study in a small rented room. “The room remains jam packed and everything from schooling to office work is done in it. The students face lot of difficulties,” the officials acknowledged.
The situation turned worse on Friday last week when the students along with their teachers and furniture tried to free the school building from the occupation of the contractor. But, according to officials, the contractor assaulted the students and also harassed them. The students however refused to return and sat on roadside for schooling.
The incumbent Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Ghulam Mohiddum Dar told Excelsior that they will not sit back without freeing the property of school from the contractor. “No one can snatch away the Government property. We have already filed a case against the contractor for assaulting and harassing students,” he said. Regarding the tussle over compensation, he said: “The previous ZEO – who actually was a headmaster and was given the powers of ZEO – cheated him. He had promised him jobs but later retracted.”
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