Belgaum

Tension and panic prevailed at St. Joseph's Convent School here July 4 morning as a man, posing as a BJP leader along with a mob of about 50 persons, stormed into the school premises abusing the teachers and the management. However, immediate intervention by the police and parents' representatives averted the situation from turning worse.

According to the school authorities, Basangouda Sidramani from M.K. Hubli, claiming to be a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former director of a sugar factory, arrived at the school along with his supporters in three jeeps. After forcibly entering the school premises, he started abusing the staff and the nuns, demanding admission for two of his friends' children.

"I belong to the ruling party and you must admit two of my friends' children in the school...Or else, I won't spare your school," he warned the teachers, even as the school children were shocked with this sudden unwarranted situation created by Basangouda.

Principal of the school, Sister Thankam, who was terrified by the unruly behavior of the mob, called the members of the Parents-Teachers Association and also sought police help. After the police and parents arrived, Basangouda and his followers left the scene in three jeeps threatening the management of dire consequences.

Zilla Parishad member Ganesh Hukkeri too called on the principal, Sister Thankam, and Sister Elsa and assured them that he would take up the matter in the ensuing Parishad meetings.

"He has been threatening us since last couple of days for admissions and had earlier come to the school thrice threatening the office staff and Sister Elsa, the principal for the primary section, of dire consequences," Sister Thankam said, adding that she has urged Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Patil, to take stringent action against the miscreants who have disturbed the sanctity of the school.

As the premises houses only nuns, girl students belonging to St. Joseph's English and Kannada Schools & TTI, the management has sought police protection.

A complaint in this regard has been lodged with the police.