Teachers face the heat over book bonfire

Patna: Bihar school teachers, who allegedly burnt books meant for students to keep warm on a chilly winter day, are likely to face police action after a case was registered against them, officials said on Saturday.

A case has been lodged against the teachers of a school in Gaya district after local government body head Shyamdeo Prasad Gupta filed a complaint with the police, the officials said.

The shocking incident at the government middle school at Pariya Bazaar in Gaya, about 100km from here, came to light on January 4 when students alleged that the teachers huddled together in a corner of a room and set light to the books to warm themselves. The day was the coldest of the season in Bihar.

District magistrate Sanjay Singh has ordered a probe, instructing two senior level police officials to investigate, the officials said.

Singh assured the angry villagers that action would be taken against the teachers if they were found guilty. Parents of the students said the teachers had been telling them that books, meant for free distribution to students, were not available.

More than 25 people have died in the state due to a cold wave in Bihar.