Daribhit High School resumed classes on Monday after a hiatus of 52 days but only around 400 of the 1,900-odd students were present.

A clash on the school premises on September 20 seemed to have left an indelible mark on the young minds.

Seema Das, a Class IX student, said: “Our studies were hampered in the past 50 days. We are happy that the school has reopened. At the same time, we are still scared as the campus reminds us of the terrible incident that we witnessed.”

Two youths, Tapas Burman and Rajesh Sarkar, had died in the clash that had started over recruitment of two teachers. Since then, the school had remained closed.

Manish Mishra, the subdivisional officer of Islampur, Sujit Maity, the district inspector of school, and teachers were the first to reach the premises around 10am on Monday.

It was only after the officials reached the area that the students started trickling in. The parents, too, remained edgy throughout the day. “Classes have resumed. We are happy but also anxious at the same time,” said a parent who did not want to be named.

Concerns of the guardians were reflected in the student’s turnout at the school that has classes from V to XII.

Nishit Roy, a student of Class VII, said: “I came to school with a sense of fear. Some friends did not come.”

The teaching fraternity said they were trying their best to instill confidence among the students and parents.

“Everyone is definitely tensed but we are trying to instill confidence among students and parents. We need to move ahead as the students have lost a lot on their studies,” said a teacher requesting anonymity.

Villagers and family members of the deceased youths continued their sit-in-demonstration but the protest was organised just opposite to the school entrance. The demonstrators confined themselves to a corner of the school ground.

Nilkamal Sarkar, the father of Rajesh who had died in the clash, said: “We have allowed the administration to enter the school and resume classes on some conditions. The arrested persons will be produced in the sub-divisional court of Islampur on Tuesday and if they fail to get bail, we will again shut the school from Wednesday.”