Demand for relocating personnel from schools in Chhattisgarh

Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, July 17 (UNI) About 2,000 students including girls, under the Students' Federation of India (SFI) banner, have submitted a memorandum to the District Collector here in support of a demand for speedy relocation of security personnel camping at ashram schools (residential schools), hostels and other school buildings of Bastar division's naxalism-affected areas.

Yesterday's slogan-shouting rally, which began at the bus stand and demanded reopening of schools and hostels that were closed for several years, later ended in a public meeting at the bus stand. The children said that their studies were being affected due to schools being converted into camps.

After ashram school buildings were destroyed by Maoists, the children were forced to study under tin sheds in temporary schools.

''The rebels destroyed several schools and ashram buildings while the rest were occupied by personnel,'' alleged SFI state Vice-President and District Panchayat Member Vimla Kunjam.

UNI XC-AC 1734