Ravinder Singh, Director, Nightingale Public School, said the wall had been raised in the street by Surinder Singh, who lives in the neighbourhood. “As the school gate opens in the street, the wall was posing problems for us. We filed a case against our neighbours in a lower court. The decision was in our favour. After some time, our neighbours appealed in court against the earlier verdict. But the decision was again in our favour,” said Ravinder.

“Around noon today, an MC team demolished the wall near the school gate. The neighbours, Surinder Singh, Harish and some others started throwing bricks at the students who were standing near the cycle-stand. As many as six students were injured. Our neighbours also manhandled my wife Amarjit Kaur, who is the school principal. Also they attacked five teachers of the school. All of them were sent to the Civil Hospital to get medical examination done,” said Ravinder.

Surinder Singh, however had a different story to tell. “When our appeal was dismissed in the lower court, we decided to apply for a stay order in the High Court. On March 10, we got a notice from the Area Town Planner Corporation asking us about our future plans in the next three days. On March 11, we applied for a stay in the High Court. We also informed the MC within the stipulated time. But today, an MC team, along with police personnel, demolished the wall without giving us any notice. But students from the neighbouring school started removing bricks from the spot on instructions of the school authorities. We did not hit any student or teacher. In fact, the students beat me up, assaulted my younger brother Harish and the women of our house, Yogita and Asha Devi. My brother received several stitches on his head,” said Surinder.