Berhampore (West Bengal), Jan 22 (IANS) Expressing concern over assaults on teachers by students, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday urged the West Bengal government to ensure discipline and law and order in educational institutions.

“There can be difference of opinion between students and college administration but the differences escalating to a level where teachers are assaulted is neither warranted nor acceptable,” Mukherjee said on the sidelines of a programme in Berhampore, 225 km from Kolkata.

“It is the duty of the state administration to ensure discipline and maintain law and order in educational institutions. The government has to act fast to ensure peace,” he added.

The principal and some teachers of Raiganj government college in North Dinajpur district were severely beaten up a few weeks back by the supporters of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) after heated exchanges between the college authorities and TMCP members over students’ union elections.

The principal of Rampurhat College in Birbhum district fell ill after he was harassed by the students affiliated to Trinamool Congress for two hours.

The principal of Majdia College in Nadia district was allegedly manhandled by those affiliated to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) students’ arm.

While the perpetrators of the violence in Raiganj were slapped with bailable charges, the accused in Nadia district had to face stringent non-bailable sections.

The Mamata Banerjee government has drawn severe criticism from all quarters after it took a dual approach in dealing with accused in these incidents according to their political affiliations.

Governor M.K. Narayanan had also expressed concern over the rising incidents of teacher assaults.