Drunk Headmaster Passes Out on Classroom Floor in Palonghat, Boasts of ‘Setting’ With DC

The Head Teacher of No. 958, Uttor Rakhaltilla LP School in the Palonghat area of Narsinghpur block in Cachar often makes his office, the personal bedroom. It’s not due to overwork with the Siksha Setu App now being active, neither is it because of the excessive heat. Locals allege that the head teacher, of this lower primary school, Altaf Hussain Laskar often passes out during school hours after being intoxicated and consumption of alcohol. In the students’ words, the teacher, usually considered a pillar of the society consumes “laal mod” (red alcohol) and abuses the students, frequently beating them.

Yesterday, the situation escalated when Shibom, a young student, returned home weeping after being slapped by the intoxicated head teacher. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with villagers protesting outside the school today.

Shibom’s uncle, who confronted the teacher during the lunch break, said he found Laskar “awfully smelling of alcohol.” The uncle revealed that drinking during school hours has become a common occurrence. “On days when he comes to school sober, he leaves to drink and returns intoxicated. He dismisses the students early or sleeps on the classroom floor.”

When asked by a local reporter if people in the Education Department and the District Administration were aware of his misadventures, he replied he had a “setting” with the District Commissioner. This implies that he is protected from disciplinary action. Villagers, fearing retaliation or ineffective responses, have been hesitant to formally complain to higher authorities.

Several students have corroborated these accounts. “Yesterday he slapped Shibom. He was on his way home when Sir called him and held him by his neck and slapped him above the ear. He comes to school with a bottle of alcohol and after he is drunk, he beats us with a stick and our body becomes swollen”, one student shared.

The headmaster was posted to this school in 2007 and locals have alleged that since then he has been involved in such shenanigans. Villagers allege that despite the community’s repeated complaints, no action has been taken by school authorities or the education department. They claim that even the Cluster Resource Centre Coordinator (CRCC), who oversees the school, has failed to intervene, opting instead to resolve the matter with “mutual understanding.” The school’s governing body, parent’s body, and mothers’ group have also been ineffective in curbing the teacher’s misbehaviour.