St Joseph’s School in Bhagalpur that has been indefinitely closed because of threats. Picture by Amit Kumar

Students of St Joseph’s School in the district headquarters have been forced to go on an early summer vacation from Monday after the authorities of the educational institution closed it down for an indefinite period because of threats.

Father Sahay Raj, the vice-principal of the school, told The Telegraph: “We have been facing a peculiar problem for the past two weeks. Persons whose wards were not admitted to the school in the current academic session have started to threaten us with dire consequences.”

Sources said a number of people, along with an influential local politician, on Sunday entered the school campus and threatened the employees. The trespassers also allegedly told the employees that the school building and the buses of the institution would be burnt down if the applicants concerned were not admitted immediately.

“The way in which a public representative, along with some persons, threatened the school employees yesterday (on Sunday) is a matter of concern for us. The politician asked us to admit the children immediately, else he would close down the school,” added Father Raj.

He, however, refused to reveal the identity of the politician.

The principal of the school, Father Varghese Pananghatt, is out of Bhagalpur at present. The school authorities are mulling action against the persons concerned after he returns.

“As Father Varghese is out of station, the school management has decided to close down the school from today (Monday),” a source in the school told The Telegraph.

The source added: “The principal is expected to return by Monday evening. The incident and future course of action would be decided at an emergency meeting of the school management committee in the evening. The committee would decide if the school will lodge an FIR against the politician and others involved.”

Police claimed that they knew about the incident and would act if anyone complained against the politician concerned.

Jayantkant, superintendent of police (SP), Naugachia, told The Tele- graph over phone that the school management has not yet registered any complaint.

“Police have learnt about the incident. I have spoken to the vice-principal and asked him to register a complaint against the per- sons concerned. I have also asked the personnel at the local police station (Patarpur) to keep an eye on the situation.”

Jayantkant, who also hold the additional charge of Bhagalpur SP, added: “The police can’t take appropriate action unless a complaint is lodged.”

Bhagalpur SP K.S. Anupam is on leave at present.