Sopore, Apr 13 — Academic activities in three educational institutions in Sopore will remain suspended till April 18 following protests by students over alleged sexual assault by a lecturer, officials said on Monday.
The decision to suspend classwork at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Boys Higher Secondary School and Government Degree College Sopore was taken as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore S A Raina said.
Tension erupted earlier in the day at Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sopore after students staged protests, alleging that a senior lecturer had sexually assaulted one of their classmates.
Eyewitnesses said a large number of students walked out of classrooms, raising slogans and seeking immediate action. “We feel unsafe inside the school and want strict action,” some protesting students said.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. Senior Superintendent of Police Sopore Iftikhar Talib said an FIR has been lodged.
“Legal action has been initiated and investigation is underway,” he said, adding that action will be taken as per law.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir has placed the accused lecturer under suspension pending inquiry.
According to an official order, the lecturer has been attached to Boys Higher Secondary School Badugam, Gurez, while the Joint Director (North) has been appointed as inquiry officer to submit a report within 15 days.
Officials said police teams are also engaging with students to maintain calm as the investigation progresses.