Three government school teachers from Krishnagiri district of Tamilnadu have been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. The shocking incident which shook the state, has reportedly been occurred on the campus of a panchayat union middle school in Bargur.
The distressing revelation came to light after teachers visited the young girl's home on Monday to inquire about her extended absence from school. Primarily, the girl declined to state what she was going through. She cited health issues, specifically ulcers, as the reason for her absence. However, during a follow-up visit, she revealed the alleged assault had taken place in a school toilet during the first week of January.
The School Education Department quickly took action, with the headmistress and block education officer filing a complaint that named the teachers involved. A. Muniraj, Chief Education Officer (in-charge), stated that a preliminary inquiry found no other complaints against the accused by students or teachers, although the accused have been suspended pending further investigation.
The local police, led by Superintendent P. Thangadurai, have been actively involved, receiving a formal complaint from the survivor’s mother. The girl is currently receiving support at a One-Stop Centre located within the Krishnagiri government medical college hospital.
The incident has triggered protests in the area, with local residents and the girl’s relatives demanding strict action against the accused. On Wednesday, an angry crowd staged a road blockade outside the school. Police personnel were deployed to manage the situation, and authorities assured that legal action would be taken.. This case follows closely behind another alarming incident at a private school in Bargur, underscoring worries about student safety in educational institutions.
Political leaders have also raised their voices against this harrowing act. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami criticized the state government for inadequate student protection measures, while AMMK's T.T.V. Dhinakaran and BJP State president K. Annamalai highlighted the increasing occurrences of sexual violence against women and girls in the region.
This incident further intensifies ongoing discussions around the apparent correlation between drug abuse and rising crime, as mentioned by Mr. Annamalai. Despite a significant drop in arrests under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act recently, he underscored the pressing need for effective measures to curb drug-related issues and associated crimes in Tamil Nadu.
As the investigation continues, a report from the District Child Protection Unit is being prepared for the Collector. Meanwhile, the community and authorities seek assurances that justice will be served swiftly and efficiently.