Tripura teacher suspended for violation of model election code

Agartala, Feb 5: The state election authority has suspended a school teacher and sought report on four other school authorities for mobilising the students in an election rally organised by a particular political party in Sabroom, the southernmost town of Tripura on January 31.

Chief Electoral Officer Dr G S G Ayyanger said here today that following investigation, it was found that the teacher in-charge of the Gardang H S School Dilip Kumar Das had declared a school holiday before leisure hours on the day and included the students in an election rally.

''We have suspended Mr Das and investigation has been launched against four other schools in Killa area of South Tripura, which also allegedly mobilised students in election rallies on separate occasions,'' Dr Ayyanger said.

He also issued a notice to the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) authorities and few other departmental heads for inviting tenders after announcement of the poll schedule, violating the model election code of conduct, and imposed ban on such activities.

The North Tripura District Magistrate was asked to file the investigation report by this week on alleged distribution of application forms for pension in Dharmanagar sub-division.

Dr Ayyanger also asked the state authorities not to indulge in any such activities which could motivate or influence the voters.

UNI