Crackdown on Shi'ite unrest in Bahrain targeting high school students
ABU DHABI — Bahrain is cracking down on high school students who have been identified as a major source of rising Shi'ite unrest
in the Gulf Arab kingdom.
Officials said the government has instituted regulations that would
suspend students involved in Shi'ite clashes with security forces, Middle East Newsline reported. They said
Iranian-aligned organizers have been recruiting Shi'ite high school students
to sabotage property and attack police.
"Saboteurs will be held accountable and handed harsh punishments as
stipulated in the school disciplinary regulations," Education Ministry
spokesman Nabil Al Asoomi said.
Al Asoomi said students involved in unrest would be suspended for up to
one year. He said repeat offenders would be expelled and their parents would
be responsible for any damage.
"Parents will also be required to repair damage or pay compensation," Al
Asoomi said on March 29.
In 2009, high school students have left classes to participate in anti-government
rallies around Manama. At Al Naim high school, scores of Shi'ites stopped other
students from attending class and smashed windows, broke furniture and pelted
cars with stones. Anti-riot police were used to restored order.
Officials said Iranian-backed organizers were employing students in their
campaign to destabilize the Sunni regime in Bahrain. Police have been
battling Shi'ite rioters nearly nightly in neighborhoods in and around Manama.
