BY RADHICA SOOKRAJ
TEN Form Five students of Gasparillo Composite School are under police investigation after the school’s principal was assaulted during a reported fracas at the school yesterday.
The students were reportedly being questioned by the police in the presence of their parents up to late yesterday.
Police said the school’s principal Radica Ramsumair sought medical attention at a private institution after the attack by students.
They said Ramsumair suffered injuries after she was struck on her back and pushed down.
There were reports that a length of wire wrapped with electrical tape was seized.
Police, however, were uncertain yesterday evening whether this was the weapon used in the assault.
Sources said the students were handed their CXC timetables at around 1 pm, shortly before they were dismissed
from school.
A security guard who requested anonymity said soon after, they started misbehaving.
“They began running wild through the school, normal behaviour for this school,” he said.
“Soon enough they started pushing down and hitting each other and that was when the fight started.”
Sources said Ramsumair went to intervene in the fight at around 2.30 pm, but was assaulted.
A call was made to the Gasparillo police station and a team of officers from the Crime Suppression Unit responded.
The students suspected to have been involved in the incident were taken into custody.
While awaiting interrogation, one aged parent reportedly told the police the children did not commit any crime.
Police officers said they told the angry parent that if the students were dismissed at 1 pm, they had no right to remain on the compound until 3 pm.
Police said none of the students admitted to being involved in any form of violence.
Investigators said the matter was handed over to Community Police.
However, officers said the students may not face prosecution because Ramsumair did not want to press charges.
Detectives said, however, they had to detain the students to avoid further violence at the school yesterday.
Several years ago, students set fire to the Gasparillo Composite school and five students were suspended.
Corporate communications officer of the Ministry of Education Mervyn Crichlow said action would be taken pending investigations.
“This is now a police matter,” he said.
“The school’s supervisor has visited the school and an investigation will be launched... We will take corrective action where necessary.”
President of the T&T Unified Teachers Association Clyde Permelle could not be reached for comment.
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