School fences in students with barbed wires

MYSORE: Civic officials are on the fence over the safety of students of Sunanda High School near Akashavani Circle in the city. Two months ago, the institution lined its premises with barbed wires to prevent students from going AWOL during school hours. But, Mysore City Corporation officials claim that only after they ascertain if the fence poses any danger to the public will they move to act on it.
Mysore Grahaka Parishat (MGP) claims that it approached MCC and school authorities, asking them to take down the barbed wires and fix a mesh, instead. MGP member Vishwas Krishna alleges that neither of the authorities took any action. "Either the MCC or the education department should look into the matter immediately. Barbed wires can't hold in children. They are playful; they are bound to cross even those wires, putting them in danger. The fence may cause serious injuries," says another member.
Civic officials, though, claim to be in the dark over the issue. MCC commissioner P G Ramesh says the matter was not brought to his notice. "Private owners can fence their property to protect it. But such fences should not pose any threat to the public. If the school's fence is found posing any harm to the public and the students, it will be removed. Authorities concerned will look into the matter," he adds.
School authorities claim to have taken all precautions. They point out that earlier, there were neither walls nor fences to keep students in. "Students were found wandering onto the road. Students can't get through this fence. We are keeping a close eye on them," says a school official. He claims that school authorities are mulling over constructing boundary walls. "The fence will be replaced with a mesh soon. It doesn't pose a threat to the public as it is far from the road."