JORHAT, May 6 - The State Education Department has stepped up the level of action taken against the Headmaster of the Auniati Satra-established Auniati Satra High School in river island district Majuli for his alleged involvement in cutting the hair locks of about 20 students of the school on April 27.
Last week, Headmaster Prasanta Dulakasharia was transferred from the school by the Director of Secondary Education Phanindra Jidung after receiving a preliminary inquiry report from the Inspector of Schools (Jorhat and Majuli districts) Dr Subhalaxmi Rajkumari, on the matter.
Majuli Deputy Commissioner Debaprasad Misra too had sent a report to the Director by recording his assessment on the issue.
When contacted, Jidung told The Assam Tribune today over phone from Guwahati that following another report submitted by a three-member team of Secondary Education Directorate after visiting the river island and carrying out an investigation, the Government decided to suspend Dulakasharia from service.
The Director said that after the probe conducted by the team led by the Deputy Director of the Directorate, it found the Headmaster responsible for the occurrence of the incident, which involved two other teachers also. The Government placed Dulakasharia under suspension, pending departmental proceedings.
Jidung said that the Government has directed the Inspector of Schools Dr Subhalaxmi Rajkumari to discharge the duty of the Headmaster of the said school until an alternative arrangement was made. He stated that Dr Rajkumari has been conferred drawing and disbursing powers.
It may be mentioned here that Dr Rajkumari early last week had suspended Kanak Dutta and Rupeswar Hazarika, both assistant teachers of Auniati Satra High School, for their alleged involvement in the incident.
She had taken action after the inquiry conducted by her as per direction of the Majuli Deputy Commissioner reportedly found involvement of the two teachers in the incident.
It may be recalled that there was an uproar after the news of cutting the hair locks of students reportedly at the behest of Dulakasharia spread across the river island district, which is a seat of Vaishnavite culture.
There were severe protests by several organisations, including the Brahmaputra island district unit of AASU demanding action against the Headmaster and those involved in the incident.
An FIR too was lodged at the Kamalabari Police Station of Majuli over the incident by some guardians, but was later withdrawn after Auniati Satra authorities reportedly intervened and tried to resolve the matter amicably.
It may be mentioned here that disciples of the satras keep long hair with locks as per traditions of the Vaishnavite culture.
