A fresh wave of theft has shaken the education sector in Assam’s Baksa district, where miscreants have once again broken into a school and stolen essential infrastructure. The latest incident took place at Kathoni High School on Wednesday night. Thieves entered the premises and fled with ceiling fans, utensils, and other valuable school property. This occurrence has deepened concerns over the rising vulnerability of government educational institutions across the district.
School authorities discovered the theft early Thursday morning. Staff members arrived to find classrooms in disarray and vital equipment missing. The administration immediately informed the local police, who reached the spot and launched an initial investigation. Residents and teachers expressed frustration, stating that such repeated incidents were weakening the morale of both educators and students.
This is not an isolated case. Schools in the Lahorighat region of Morigaon district have reported a series of thefts over recent weeks. Thieves seem to be targeting schools systematically, usually striking at night when the campuses are empty. In previous cases, criminals have taken away benches, kitchen items used for midday meals, water pumps, electrical wiring, and even storage cabinets. Many schools are still waiting for authorities to replace stolen items from earlier thefts.
Kathoni High School had already reported a minor theft earlier this year. The staff had then requested enhanced security and installation of boundary walls, but the school lacked funds to implement the suggestions. Without proper fencing or surveillance systems, most rural schools remain easy targets. Some schools do not even have security personnel, making it easier for criminals to execute break-ins unnoticed.
The school’s headmaster voiced his disappointment and concern, urging authorities to prioritize the safety of educational institutions. He stressed that repeated losses of property disrupt the learning environment and create an atmosphere of fear and neglect. Teachers feel discouraged, and students suffer when basic facilities vanish overnight.
Parents in the community echoed the sentiment. Many expressed fears that their children’s education might suffer if the infrastructure continues to deteriorate due to repeated thefts. A few suggested forming community vigilance groups to help monitor school premises during night hours, especially in remote areas where police patrolling remains infrequent.
Police officials said they have started looking into potential links between the recent incidents. They believe a local group might be behind the thefts, selling the stolen equipment through informal markets. Investigators have collected CCTV footage from nearby shops and residences in hopes of identifying suspects. Authorities have promised more patrolling in the area and appealed to citizens to report any suspicious activities near schools during late hours.
Education department officials have acknowledged the issue and confirmed that they will take up the matter with higher authorities. A district-level review meeting is scheduled for next week to evaluate school security. Officials are also considering deploying temporary night guards in vulnerable institutions until more permanent solutions are in place. They admitted that delayed compensation and repair work after earlier thefts have added to the problem.
Local leaders, including members of the village education committee, have demanded immediate government intervention. They highlighted that the thefts affect not just school infrastructure but also students’ access to basic facilities like midday meals, fans in hot classrooms, and safe drinking water. They called upon the state government to increase funding for school security measures and to fast-track the construction of fences and installation of CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, the students of Kathoni High School attended classes on Thursday with fewer benches and no fans, even as the summer heat intensified. Teachers carried on with their lessons, trying to maintain normalcy despite the disruptions. But the shadow of insecurity hung heavy in the air, reminding everyone that the sanctity of education continues to face silent threats—one break-in at a time.
The recurring nature of these thefts points to a deeper issue surrounding the management and protection of public assets in educational institutions. Teachers across affected schools have begun voicing their grievances collectively. Many are urging the administration to implement a district-wide audit of security measures, fearing that their institutions could be the next target.
Community elders from Lahorighat and nearby villages have also raised concerns over the lack of a structured response. They argued that while police file complaints and launch investigations, the actual recovery of stolen items rarely takes place. They emphasized that the absence of timely action leads to a perception of lawlessness and encourages more such crimes.
Several student organizations have stepped into the conversation, demanding that the government provide immediate grants for infrastructure repairs and replacements. Some student leaders have planned to submit memorandums to district officials, highlighting not only the insecurity in schools but also the broader neglect of educational facilities in semi-urban and rural belts.
Experts in education policy pointed out that such thefts expose how vulnerable public schools are in underfunded regions. They noted that while large-scale programs focus on enrollment, retention, and teacher training, fundamental infrastructure and safety often take a backseat. Without a protective environment, even well-planned education policies struggle to yield results.
The Education Department has confirmed that it will prepare a proposal to deploy funds for urgent needs, including replacing stolen items, improving lighting around school premises, and ensuring that every school has at least basic perimeter security. They have also discussed potential partnerships with local panchayats to involve communities in guarding school property.
As the academic year progresses, schools like Kathoni High continue to carry the burden of these losses. Teachers rely on temporary adjustments to keep lessons going, using fewer classrooms or rotating equipment between sections. Yet, the long-term impact looms large. Without concrete action, each theft chips away at students’ right to a safe and dignified learning environment.