This is the story of an age-old school in the Tangra area of Kolkata where at one point of time, the 'Pei May Chinese School' was considered to be the pride of the Chinese community. Today, the purple Chinese characters fading away on the huge iron gates serve as a reminder of its lost glory.
What's changed inside, you ask? The school that was once bustling with children now houses 150-200 CISF personnel and it's their undershirts and fatigue that can be seen hanging, left out to dry. This school has been their home for the past 18 months.
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Why is the CISF still here?
Due to a court ruling after the unrest at RG Kar Medical College related to the alleged rape and murder of a doctor, the campus has been utilised by the CISF. The college is located approximately 5 km away from the school. Initially, it was agreed that the CISF would occupy the school for a period of two months, but that length of time has now extended to 18.
School approaches Calcutta High Court
The school has now approached the Calcutta High Court to get its building back and a hearing is expected to take place shortly. In the 1950s, this school was the heartbeat of Kolkata's Chinatown, where more than 1,000 students were taught. Amid the Indo-Chinese cuisine and leather tanneries, this school was a cultural hub.
However, after the 1962 Indo-China war and decades of migration, the strength of students began dwindling and in the recent years, the school was running as a charity institute, providing free education to the local kids in Tangra. But with the CISF deployment, the classes stopped altogether.
'It's our community school...'
Monica Liu, wife of school president KC Liu, and a leading voice of the community said, "It is our community school. In 1960, it was exempted from any tax by the Governor. Since then, it has been a charity school run by locals." Monica has even written letters to the authorities, held several meetings but all in vain.
"We hope the court will help us reclaim our school so that our students can return to learning," she said.
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According to a report by The Indian Express, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Entally Swarna Kamal Saha believes that CISF deployment shouldn't last so long. "I agree that the deployment should not have gone on for so long. If the local community had informed us, I would have tried to find a solution," he said.
Changes made sans permission
Meanwhile, the community members have alleged that modifications have been made on the school premises without permission, like setting up 10 makeshift washrooms.
"When we objected, we were told there are so many living on the premises that it is difficult to adjust with the few existing bathrooms… We were shocked. We want our school back," said Monica.
Locals fear school will vanish soon
A resident said, "Pei May is the repository of our history and culture… Out of generosity our community gave that space, now it seems it has been totally encroached… Our fear is that it will disappear one day."
Another said, "This CISF deployment cannot go on forever."
Pei May did not only serve as an educational hub but also hosted events like sports meet and Chinese New Year but now it is called a "fortified zone" with outsiders not allowed past the gate.
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Representing the school, advocate SN Panda said that the families that have migrated still continue to send donations as Pei May is a matter of pride for them.
