Threats, molestation cases shake school campus:Over 600 students drop out; principal reveals recovery of swords and women’s clothes

“I face harassment on my way to school every day. Intoxicated men pass comments and make lewd remarks… every day feels unsafe.” This statement by a student, Ananya, reflects the grim reality at the Government Nutan Subhash Higher Secondary School in Panchsheel Nagar, Bhopal. Female students here are continuing their education under constant fear and mental stress. Unsafe surroundings driving students away The area around the school has become a hub for drug addicts and anti-social elements. Harassment, catcalling, and misconduct have created such a hostile environment that parents are increasingly reluctant to send their children to school. As a result, more than 600 students have dropped out over the past two years. The number of girls has declined drastically to just 12–15. Even those who attend remain more concerned about their safety than their studies. Student strength drops from 800 to 200 Established in 1972, the school was earlier located in South TT Nagar. It was shifted to Panchsheel Nagar in 2023 under the Smart City project. The student count has since plummeted from around 800 to nearly 200, mainly due to distance, poor surroundings, and safety concerns. Substance abuse flourishing near police outpost The school’s surroundings reflect insecurity rather than an academic atmosphere. A ground report revealed a row of meat shops outside the gate, attracting crowds and substance abuse throughout the day. Groups of young men often gather outside a nearby barber shop, openly smoking cannabis and cigarettes. Within a 100-meter radius, the entire area has turned into a hub of intoxication. Shockingly, these activities occur in front of a police assistance center, yet little action is taken. By evening, people can be seen drinking alcohol on the roadside, making students and women feel unsafe. Three incidents that highlight the crisis 1. Harassment of female students Student Nisha says boys standing outside frequently pass comments. In one instance, they attempted misbehavior but fled when a teacher arrived. Another time, firecrackers were set off to scare girls, leaving them afraid to travel alone. 2. Visually impaired students targeted Around 40 visually impaired students study at the school and walk 1 to 1.5 km daily. One such student, Shubham, reported facing repeated harassment.3. Murder 3. Inside school premises Principal Dr. Abhishek Bais revealed that about a year ago, miscreants entered the campus, murdered a man in the bathroom, and burned the body. Weapons like a sword and women’s clothing have also been found on campus earlier. School struggling for survival According to Principal Bais, the once-reputed institution is now fighting for its existence. Drunk individuals often enter the campus even during the day. In one case, when police were called, a man attempted suicide and threatened to defame the school. There have also been incidents of theft, including a water tanker, broken gates, damaged or stolen benches, and knife-point robberies targeting students. Teachers, too, have faced abuse. Encroachment and Local anger Residents say the school premises have been encroached upon, turning into a gathering spot for anti-social elements. Complaints have been raised with the MLA, District Collector, and even the Chief Minister. Some locals have also accused police of demanding money in the name of action. Students fear losing education When asked why parents are not formally complaining, students said they fear their families would stop them from attending school altogether. “We somehow want to complete our studies and leave,” one student said. Teachers echoed similar concerns, stating that while verbal complaints have been made, filing official complaints could make it unsafe for them to even come and teach. Police response TT Nagar police station in-charge Gaurav Singh Dohar stated that anti-social activities occur in the area as it is a slum locality. He claimed that police patrolling has been increased and contact numbers have been shared with the school administration. However, police also maintained that strict action cannot be taken without formal written complaints.