Protest demanding protection of govt school on Dec 28 Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School at Kanakatla Janata Colony in Surathkal, which once had more than 250 students has only 24 students now, rued members of an action committee formed to fight for the protection of the government school. Action committee members said, on Thursday, that parents, teachers and local residents have decided to hold a ‘Nada Kacheri Chalo’ protest on December 28 demanding development of infrastructure, appointment of teachers and action against revenue department officials, who are allegedly involved in the encroachment of school land. “The school, where children of poor families have been studying, is in a dilapidated condition due to the negligence of people’s representatives. While the number of students in the school was reduced to 24, only two teachers are serving at present. Meanwhile, the school building is also in a dilapidated condition due to lack of maintenance. The cement plastering of the school building’s ceiling has developed cracks and no proper doors for it. The school premises are covered with weeds. Because of all these reasons, parents are not willing to send children to the school,” action committee members Varija, Umar Farooq, Sicilia Lobo, Dayanand Shetty, Shareef and SDMC president Khairunnisa told reporters. Committee convener BK Imthiyaz said that the students’ strength will be increased if the government sanction funds to develop the building and initiate steps to appoint more teachers. The action committee will be with the government to develop the school, he said. On the suspension of a land surveyor in connection with the school land encroachment issue, Imthiyaz said that there was a larger conspiracy aimed at closing the school. “Suspension of a land surveyor is not sufficient. Action should also be taken against all the officials, including those who are retired,” he added.