Villagers protest student rape, seek transfer of school staff

Our Correspondent

UNA, JUNE 24

Residents of the village under Amb sub-division, where a minor student was allegedly raped in the local Government Senior Secondary School last Saturday by a teacher, today staged a protest in front of the institution. While the accused teacher was arrested on Sunday, the villagers demanded that the entire school staff should be transferred. Consequently, they did not allow the staff to enter the school.

A 15-year-old girl student, who went to washroom on Saturday, was allegedly followed by the computer teacher who raped her in the toilet. On reaching her home, the victim narrated the incident to her parents, who lodged a complaint with the police.

A case under the POCSO Act and Section 376, IPC, had been registered and the accused had been arrested on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Education Department has suspended the accused teacher. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered which will be conducted by the officiating Deputy Director of Una Higher Education Department, Kamlesh Kumari. She, along with DSP Headquarters Ashok Verma reached the school when the villagers were protesting.

Since the villagers were adamant that they would not allow the existing school staff on the campus, Kamlesh Kumari had to record the statements of the Principal, accused teacher, students and some other staff members at the Panchayat Bhawan. Teachers from Gagret and Daulatpur Chowk schools were called in to teach, while the existing staff were not allowed to enter the school.

Meanwhile, the district Education Department has decided to keep the school closed tomorrow.

It is learnt that the school was equipped with CCTV cameras, but the cable of the camera was found snapped. It is also alleged that the staff members, including the Principal, came to know about the incident, but did not report the matter to the higher authorities or the police.

Director of Higher Education, Dr Amarjit Sharma, when contacted, said the accused teacher has been suspended and a departmental inquiry has been ordered. He said action as per law will be initiated against all those found guilty.

Teacher suspended, probe ordered

• The accused teacher, arrested on Sunday, has been suspended 
• A departmental inquiry was also ordered which will be conducted by the officiating Deputy Director of Una Higher Education Department, Kamlesh Kumari 
• A case under POCSO Act and Section 376, IPC, registered
• Teachers from Gagret and Daulatpur Chowk schools called in to teach because the existing staff were not allowed to enter the school.