SAS demands high-level probe into headmaster's death

Kozhikode, Jul 21 (UNI) Demanding a high-level probe into the circumstances leading to the death of a headmaster in the violence during a protest demonstration against the controversial seventh standard textbook, the pro-United Democratic Front 'Samyuktha Adhyapaka Samithi' (SAS) in Kerala today called for exemplary punishment to the culprits involved in the incident.

''Exemplary punishment be given to the criminals involved in the attack on Valillapuzha A L P School Headmaster James Augustine, ignoring their political affiliations,'' CTS General Convenor C P Cheriya Mohammed told mediapersons here.

Augustine, who had sustained serious head injuries in an attack near an orientation programme centre in Malappuram district allegedly by pro-IUML Muslim Youth League (MYL) activists, succumbed to his injuries in a private hospital in the city two days ago.

He claimed that the 'education bandh'' called by the teachers, organisations throughout the state today was a big success as all the educational instiutions remained closed as a mark of repsect to the departed soul.

However, he expressed strong resentment, over the attack allegedly by rival union activists, on some of their leaders who came to pay their tributes to James Auguistine in a city hospital yesterday.

Urging the government to convene a meeting of union leaders, he said a solution to the issues, including the text book controversy, could be found through open deliberations.

He said a protest march, which was called by the SAS, to all the district educational offices on July 26, demanding withdrawal of a controversial text book, had been postponed in view of the death.

The fresh date would be decided at a State Committee meeting of the SAS at Thiruvananthapuram on August four, he added.

UNI PCH DS PD RN1829