Assam school principal arrested for allegedly molesting Class 6 student; protests erupt in Cachar

The principal of a private school in Assam's Cachar district was arrested on Wednesday, after he was accused of allegedly molesting a Class 6 student inside his office, triggering protests by local residents demanding stringent action against the accused.

The accused, identified as Dr S. Gnanavel, principal of Sonai APJ Senior Secondary School and a native of South India, was arrested by Sonai Police following a complaint lodged over the alleged incident.

According to the complaint, the incident took place at around 2 pm on Wednesday, July 1, when the principal allegedly called the minor student to his personal chamber and sexually harassed her.

The alleged incident sparked outrage in the locality. As news of the incident spread, residents reportedly detained the accused, assaulted him and later handed him over to the Sonai Police.

Soon after, hundreds of villagers, including members of the Tribal Women's Association from Natun Ramnagar in East Sonai, gathered outside the Sonai Police Station and staged a protest. The demonstrators raised slogans demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and submitted a written complaint to the police.

Parents and local residents expressed concern over the alleged incident, stating that educational institutions are expected to be safe spaces for children. They demanded a fair and expeditious investigation and urged authorities to ensure the strictest legal action if the allegations are substantiated.

Sonai Police said that based on the complaint, a case has been registered and the accused principal has been arrested. The investigation is currently underway. Further legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation.