For years, thousands of schoolgirls across West Bengal looked forward to receiving bicycles under the Sabooj Sathi scheme introduced by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a programme aimed at helping students commute to school and continue their education.
However, uncertainty over the continuation of bicycle distribution after the change of government has left many students disappointed. Frustrated by the delay and the absence of any clear assurance, a group of schoolgirls in Malda district took to the streets on Monday, blocking a national highway in protest.
The protesters, all Class X students of Ramchandra Saha Girls’ High School in Gazole, staged a road blockade on national highway 12, demanding immediate distribution of the government-sponsored bicycles.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the students sat on the highway, bringing traffic to a standstill and causing long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road.
According to the students, they were promised bicycles several months ago. School authorities had reportedly informed them that the bicycles would be distributed after the elections. However, even after the completion of the electoral process, no definite date for distribution was announced.
The students first approached the school’s head teacher seeking clarification. Dissatisfied with the response, they proceeded to the Gazole Block Development Office (BDO) to press their demand. Alleging that they could not meet the concerned official and failed to receive any assurance, they decided to launch a highway blockade.
The agitation led to severe traffic congestion on the busy highway, with buses, trucks and private vehicles remaining stranded for a considerable period. Witnesses said the students remained determined and repeatedly asserted that they would continue their protest until they received assurances regarding the bicycles.
Police personnel from Gazole police station later reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating students. Following intervention by the police and assurances that their grievances would be communicated to the appropriate authorities, the students agreed to withdraw the blockade.
Normal traffic movement resumed shortly thereafter.