Blind students leave school over harassment by prez

More than 12 blind students of an aided school in the city went missing for some time on Wednesday. Harassment by the president of the educational institution where they were studying is said to have made them leave the school premises.

The incident occurred at the Shivasharana Haralaiah School for the Blind at Mallikarjuna Nagar here. Seven of the students went to their native places, while the others asked passersby directions for a well so that they could jump into it and commit suicide as they were unable to bear the torture by A M Doddamani, president of the institution, and his wife.

Soon, local residents gathered near the school and took Doddamani to task. The students revealed details of the torture that they were facing at the hands of the president and his family.

They urged the residents that they should be allowed to end their lives by jumping into the well.

No response to plaints

Complaints to the officials concerned had proved futile, the students said. They said they would stay back in the school only if the president went out of the place.
V M Gulaganji, an official with the department of welfare of the disabled and senior citizens, said that the institution had not replied to the notices served on it, following complaints.

He said that a recommendation would be made to the higher officials to shut down the school. Later, Doddamani admitted to his mistake.

He said that he would leave the place after handing over all responsibilities to the school staff.