Date:10/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/06/10/stories/2005061010870400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

School property damaged in attack

Staff Reporter

Row over encroachment; three injured

NIZAMABAD: About hundred people belonging to a religious community vandalised the Kakatiya Residential School-cum-Junior College located at Phulong Chowrasta here on Thursday afternoon, alleging that the school management had constructed its buildings by occupying a piece of land belonging to their graveyard.

They went on the rampage for about 45 minutes and damaged furniture, broke windowpanes, and attacked the school staff. As a result, three staff members sustained injuries and the seriously injured R. Prasad, a junior clerk in the residential college, was admitted to a private hospital.

According to the Kakatiya High School principal, Ch. Rajinikanth, the mob led by the Wakf Board district president, Md. Fayazuddin, descended on the school premises in several vehicles and terrorised the staff, parents and students by going round the school damaging furniture and other property.

Free-for-all

They beat up whoever came in their way. Property worth about Rs.1.25 lakh was damaged by the vandals. A complaint was lodged with the Fourth Town police. They relented only when a posse of policemen led by a circle inspector arrived at the spot, Mr. Kanth said. He said he did not occupy even an inch of land belonging to the Wakf Board. "I offered to relinquish the school campus ten years ago itself before the religious elders if it was proved that an inch of property was illegally occupied,'' he said.

Mr. Fayazuddin alleged that the school management had encroached upon the graveyard land to the extent of over 3,000 square yards in survey No.138 (874 square yards) and survey No.127 (2,411 square yards) and constructed buildings.

The dispute regarding the land under survey Nos.134, 135, 136 and 137 in same area was settled in court, he said and added that the Wakf Board had nothing to do with it.

Denying the charge that the mob attacked the school under his leadership, he said he went to the school only to pacify the irate youth belonging to his community.