Appalled at the alleged bullying incident at the prestigious Lawrence School, Sanawar, last week, which scarred some boarders of Class XI with not just physical injuries but also mental trauma, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Sunday ordered a thorough probe into the incident.

Soon after the announcement by the Chief Minister, Deputy Commissioner Aamanadeep Garg, along with SP SPS Verma and other officials, reached the school and started investigations to ascertain the facts which led to the alleged assault on Class XI students by some senior boys.

Shalu Gupta, mother of one of the victims, alleged that some of the students suffered perforation in their ear drums as a result of the assault. The senior students allegedly beat up the Class XI students with iron rods, hockey sticks, leather belts and wet towels. Similar allegations were also levelled by parents of other victims.

“It was a simple case of clash between students, not ragging, and the erring students have been sent back home. The report of the committee would now be submitted to the governing body of the school, which would take the final decision. No one would be allowed to vitiate the academic atmosphere of the school and indulge in acts of violence or indiscipline,” said the school headmaster.

Solan SDM Vivek Chandel, who conducted the inquiry, told The Indian Express that most parents contacted by him over phone had termed it as a stray incident and expressed satisfaction over the action initiated by the school authorities. The headmaster has also, in his recommendation to the school’s governing body, stated that the erring students be expelled.

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