Priests close down government school in Bihar temple complex

Patna, Jan 21 (IANS) A group of Hindu priests Wednesday closed down a primary school functioning in a temple complex in Bihar's Bhagalpur district since they claimed the government had not paid any rent for using the premises for over 50 years, officials said.

The school had been running in the complex of the Hanuman temple in Lahri Tola village since 1955, district administration officials said.

'The priests of the temple closed down the building today. They also warned that they will throw out chairs, books and office material if the government failed to pay rent,' an official said.

The priests claimed that the government had not paid any rent since 1955.

About 250 students are enrolled in the school, which has eight teachers.