<p>Goa government recently decided to recognise English as an MOI, alongwith Marathi and Konkani, and to give grants to English-medium schools.<br /><br />But the decision has led to howls of protest, with the fear that it would undercut the vernacular-medium schools.<br /><br />Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) has given a call for strike today, which is supported by BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and Shiv Sena.<br /><br />It is also backed by 67 institutions across the state.<br />Since morning, no buses could ply on the inter-city routes. A few buses were seen on city roads here, with a few passengers.<br /><br />Most schools remained closed, though today was the first day of the current academic year.<br />In the schools which opened, teachers could not reach on time, and very few students turned up.<br /><br />Police sources stated that two buses of government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) were stoned in Margao and Bicholim towns.<br /><br />Another two buses, carrying school children, were also attacked by the protesters. "The students were made to get down and the buses were smashed up," an eye witness said.<br /><br />The students were later taken back to their homes by by the agitators themselves.</p>
<p>Goa government recently decided to recognise English as an MOI, alongwith Marathi and Konkani, and to give grants to English-medium schools.<br /><br />But the decision has led to howls of protest, with the fear that it would undercut the vernacular-medium schools.<br /><br />Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) has given a call for strike today, which is supported by BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), and Shiv Sena.<br /><br />It is also backed by 67 institutions across the state.<br />Since morning, no buses could ply on the inter-city routes. A few buses were seen on city roads here, with a few passengers.<br /><br />Most schools remained closed, though today was the first day of the current academic year.<br />In the schools which opened, teachers could not reach on time, and very few students turned up.<br /><br />Police sources stated that two buses of government-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) were stoned in Margao and Bicholim towns.<br /><br />Another two buses, carrying school children, were also attacked by the protesters. "The students were made to get down and the buses were smashed up," an eye witness said.<br /><br />The students were later taken back to their homes by by the agitators themselves.</p>