Kolkata:
A seven-year-old class two student in a Kolkata school was allegedly sexually assaulted by her dance teacher for nearly a year.
The incident came to light after parents of the victim and others in large numbers protested outside the school campus on Friday morning after learning the alleged sexual assault of a class 2 student by a teacher.
The development was confirmed by joint commissioner of police, crime, Praveen Tripathy.
He further added that the accused dance teacher has been arrested. The class 2 student’s perpetrator has been identified as Soumen Rana, 27.
Kolkata Police on Friday had deployed security forces in large number to prevent any untoward incident outside the school campus. Scuffle between protesting parents and policemen was reported, which led to injury of an officer.
“Protesters were largely parents of students studying in the school. They learnt about the incident when the victim’s parents informed them via social media,” added the officer.
According to a police officer who denied revealing his identity said, “The scuffle between police and protester began when the accused in custody was attacked by agitated parents.”
A senior officer of the West Bengal Police told the media that a seven-year-old girl was being regularly assaulted by a dance teacher for nearly an year. “The victim told us that she was threatened by the teacher of dire consequences like burying her alive if she informed about the alleged act to anyone,” said a police officer.
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The victim’s uncle told the media that her sister and brother had informed the school principal about the development but she refused to accept it.
The police officer added that they learnt about the incident when the girl denied going to school by making various excuses. “On Thursday, when her mother was forcing her to attend classes, she narrated her ordeal,” added the officer.
West Bengal Police officer added that they have arrested the accused teacher and filed an FIR under relevant IPC sections and POSCO Act.
Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said, “The government will look into the matter if there were lapses on the part of the school. We have laid safety guidelines for all schools.”
