Case against teachers who burned books to keep warm

Bihar school teachers who allegedly burnt books meant for students to keep warm on a chilly winter day are likely to face police action after a case was registered against them.

Bihar school teachers who allegedly burnt books meant for students to keep warm on a chilly winter day are likely to face police action after a case was registered against them, officials said on Saturday.

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A case has been lodged against the teachers of a school in Gaya district after panchayat (village administrative body) head Shyamdeo Prasad Gupta filed a complaint with the police, the officials said.

The shocking incident at the government middle school at Pariya Bazaar in Gaya, about 100 km from Patna, came to light Jan 4 when students alleged that the teachers huddled together in a corner of a room and set light to the books to warm themselves. The day was the coldest of the season in Bihar.

District magistrate Sanjay Singh has ordered a probe, instructing two senior level police officials to investigate, the officials said.

Singh assured the angry villagers that action would be taken against the teachers if they were found guilty.

Parents of the students said the teachers had been telling them that books, meant for free distribution to students, were not available.

Bihar has been reeling under a cold wave with temperatures drastically dipping in the first week of January. More than 25 people have died in the state due to the intense cold.