Keshapali villagers lock the school circle inspector’s office in Sambalpur on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, Aug. 23: Villagers of Keshapali under Jujomura block, 65km from here, locked the office of the circle inspector of schools here demanding action against two erring staff of the local high school.

The villagers gheraoed the office and locked its gate alleging that two school staff had misbehaved with the students and used abusive language in an inebriated condition.

“The incident took place on August 2. Clerk Saroj Sahu and para-teacher Santosh Biswal misbehaved with the students of Class IX. They boozed with their friends during school hour. They entered the classroom and abused the students,” said Ved Prakash Biswal, a Keshapali resident.

“We had complained about the matter to Sangarm Sahu, circle inspector of schools, Sambalpur, on August 6. He had deputed the headmaster of Rani Arnapurna High School of Rairakhol to inquire into the matter. Moreover, he had assured us of taking proper action against the erring staff. The inspector had said he would visit the school on August 17,” said Biswal.

“However, the authorities did not take any action against the staff. Such apathy forced us to resort to agitation. We had also lodged a complaint in Jujomura police station about the incident. We want strong action against the staff,” he said.

“Moreover, staff shortage has affected the high school. There are only two teachers for more than 250 students. We had also written to Sahu to appoint more teachers in the institution,” said Madhab Rana, an agitating villager.

Sahu yesterday discussed the matter with the villagers. “The clerk will be transferred. I would write to the district inspector of school to take action against the para-teacher. We will try to resolve the staff problem as soon as possible. New staff will be appointed by the end of this month,” said Sahu.