Patiala, Punjab: Parents and guardians of students, joined by civil society activists, staged a massive sit-in and blocked a road in SST Nagar, Patiala, demanding that the authorities register a case against the management of Auro Mirra School for alleged negligence following a severe child abuse incident.
The protest, which brought traffic to a standstill and caused a massive traffic jam, highlighted palpable public anger over the alleged sexual abuse of an eight-year-old student by a physical education teacher on the school premises. Protesters accused the school administration of laxity after reports suggested the crime had occurred multiple times within the campus. Activists from various NGOs joined the demonstrators, raising slogans condemning the school management's failure to ensure student safety.
Investigation and Arrests Under POCSO
The incident pertains to an FIR lodged on October 13 against the physical education teacher. The accused was arrested by the police earlier this week.
Police sources confirmed that the victim’s medical examination indicated the abuse was repeatedly carried out on the school premises.
An officer involved in the probe, identified as Cheema, stated that the investigation is strictly following procedures laid down under the POCSO Act. "We have questioned the school authorities and also confiscated the CCTV footage from the school premises. Prima facie, the victim has identified the accused," Cheema confirmed.
He added that investigators are probing the possibility of involvement of another person in the crime. "There could be others who were directly involved or were used to keep a vigil during the crime," he said. Given the child is still in trauma, the police are currently taking time to extract further details.
The police department is now seeking the assistance of government counsellors and the District Child Protection Office to ascertain if any other student at the school has faced similar harassment or abuse.
School Management Denies Negligence
Auro Mirra School Principal Chinmayie issued a statement asserting that the instructor was suspended immediately upon the matter coming to the school's knowledge. She further claimed that the school authorities are extending full cooperation to the investigating agency and providing necessary support to the victim's family.
Despite the school's assurances, parents remained steadfast in their demand that accountability be fixed on the management for the alleged serious lapse in security that allowed the repeated abuse to occur on campus.
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