Agartala, 16th October 2026 : Local MLA Nayan Sarkar has strongly condemned the alleged assault on seven minor female students inside Berimura Higher Secondary School, a Vidya Jyoti institution in Bamutia, and demanded legal action against the woman accused of beating the girls.
Sarkar visited the school on Friday after reports emerged that the students had been assaulted inside the girls’ restroom two days earlier. The incident reportedly took a controversial turn after the School Management Committee (SMC) and school authorities allegedly mediated a settlement involving a payment of Rs 70,000.
Questioning the manner in which the matter was handled, the MLA said that a school could not be treated as a court of law and that SMC members had no authority to act as judges. He stressed that an alleged assault on minor students should be dealt with through the appropriate legal process rather than settled through monetary compensation.
According to reports, the accused woman, whose family lives near the school, allegedly entered the girls’ restroom and assaulted the seven students. Allegations have also surfaced regarding the family’s suspected involvement in drug trafficking, although these claims require independent verification.
The incident has triggered widespread resentment among local residents, who have questioned how such a serious allegation could have been resolved through a financial settlement within a government educational institution.
Questions have also been raised over the role of the school authorities, the SMC and the parents of the affected students in the reported settlement. Residents have demanded a transparent inquiry to establish the circumstances under which the agreement was reached and whether due procedures were followed.
Meanwhile, no response has reportedly been received from SMC Chairman Shantanu Bikash Das, who also serves as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Mohanpur.
The incident has drawn attention to the responsibility of school authorities to ensure the safety of students and respond appropriately to allegations of violence on school premises. The school falls under the state Education Department, headed by Chief Minister Professor Dr Manik Saha.
Sarkar’s intervention has intensified demands for a proper investigation, accountability for those involved and legal action in accordance with the law. The allegations surrounding the assault and the reported monetary settlement are yet to be independently established.
