Clear case of sabotage: Mayor

The burning of the artificial grass surface playground at Government Vocational Higher Secondary School for Girls, Nadakkavu, is part of attempts to sabotage the growth of a public educational institution, Mayor A.K. Premajam has said.

The Mayor was speaking to mediapersons after visiting the school on Saturday. Purushan Kadalundi, A.K. Sasidharan, K.N.A. Khader, and K. Dasan, all MLAs, were with her.

The Mayor brushed aside the theory that the damage could have been caused by firecrackers burst during Vishu.

“The burnt portion is in two circles, one outside the other. This cannot be caused by firecrackers. It appears as if some liquid, either petrol, kerosene, or some other inflammable chemical, was poured on the surface in concentric circles before setting it on fire,” she said.

The ground was used to play football and hockey. It was set up as part of the Prism Project funded by the Faisal and Shabana Foundation at a cost of Rs.1 crore.

The artificial turf was imported from New Zealand. It was found burnt on Thursday.

“Neither the security personnel nor the policemen at the nearby station noticed the incident. The burning could have produced smell and smoke. The miscreants had planned the attack well and they chose Vishu for it,” Ms. Premajam said.