Teacher schools illegal

Calcutta, July 8: A high court division bench today upheld a trial bench verdict cancelling the approval of 40 private primary teachers’ training institutes across the state.

However, considering the future of 4,000 students who had gra-duated from these institutes before they were deemed illegal, the court said their certificates would be valid.

In 2004, the primary education department had granted approval to these institutions, though they did not fulfil the essential criteria — having a one-acre campus and qualified teachers for example.

Priya better

Calcutta: The condition of information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi was stable on Tuesday. He underwent angioplasty here on Monday. His pulse, pressure and breathing are normal, a doctor said.

Bus crash

Panskura: Five persons were killed on Tuesday morning when a bus crashed into a truck in East Midnapore. Police said the bus, travelling from Gopigunj to Panskura, 110km from Calcutta, lost control while trying to overtake another bus.

Boy groom

Krishnagar: A 17-year-old and his father were held after the boy allegedly got “married” to his Class IX mate. They were picked up when the wedding reception was being held in Nadia’s Chapra, 140km from Calcutta, on Monday. Police said the 15-year-old girl’s parents were missing. She told the court she loved the boy but did not want to get married before turning 18.

Monk beaten

Calcutta: A monk was tied to a tree and thrashed when he was constructing a fence adjacent to his ashram in South 24-Parganas’ Joynagar. The swami was accused of trying to grab a children’s playground, 80km from Calcutta.