Regular classes at government-run educational institutions here have become a casualty following police camps at schools since the last one week.
The schools have virtually turned into barracks as 25 platoons (one platoon comprises 30 personnel) of armed police forces have been deployed here for law and order maintenance for the annual Laxmi Puja.
The housing of police personnel inside the three state-run school premises has badly affected the academic activities and several prominent residents of the district headquarters as well as rights activists have alleged that such use of schools for non-academic purpose was unlawful.
The Right to Compulsory and Free Education Act, 2009 bars misuse of schools of this nature, they said.
"Our school has become a police barrack for all practical purposes. The police have taken possession of majority of classrooms. We are unable to concentrate and it is affecting our studies," said a student of Baldevjew high school.
District Collector, Debraj Senapati said "As there is no adequate infrastructure to accommodate police forces in the barracks, we were forced to put them in schools. However, we are ensuring that studies are not affected."
Superintendent of Police, Nitinjeet Singh said "We had requested the district collector for facilities for accommodating the police forces. As per the order received from the district administration, forces have put in the school buildings.
