May 8, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 5, 1424

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LANDI KOTAL, May 7: Frustrated by the continuous absence of teachers from duty, the students of Kharghali High School in Landi Kotal tehsil of Khyber Agency resorted to violence and blocked the Landi Kotal-Torkham road.

The students ransacked the school building, smashed window panes of class rooms and tried to put the principal office on fire. One of the teachers fired in the air in order to scare away the students, but was overpowered by some parents of the students.

The students then marched towards the offices of political administration to register their concern over the continuous absence of their teachers. While on their way they were intercepted by the khasadar force on Landi Kotal-Torkham road. This further enraged the students and in retaliation they blocked the road.

The local administration however cleared the road and arrested two students along with five of their parents on charges of inciting students for protest. The arrested men were locked in Landi Kotal prison. The two arrested students were later released after a meeting between the administration and the representatives of the teaching community.

The Kharghali High School has a total strength of 17 teachers. Out of them only 5 were attending their duties. The head master of the school is also on leave for a long time. The students accused him of selling school furniture and stationary on throwaway prices.

The students complained that they informed the assistant agency education officer, Landi Kotal and local administration about the absence of their teachers, but no action was taken against them. More than 300 students are studying in the said school.

They also criticized the role of the political administration and alleged that instead of taking action against the absent teachers, the authorities arrested students and their parents.

They warned that if their parents were not released, students of all the government schools would block the main Peshawar-Landi Kotal highway.