BUNTY MAHAJAN
JAMMU, AUGUST 26: A government school principal and a lecturer in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, who allegedly gave corporal punishment to a 10th class student for hailing a Hindu God in writing on the class blackboard, were on Saturday booked by police under provisions of Indian Penal Code and Juvenile Justice Act.
Identifying the boy as Neeraj Kumar, police said that he has been under threat at sub district hospital at Bani.
The registration of FIR followed protests by people in Bani and Basohli towns in Kathua district during the day. The protestors demanded immediate arrest of both the accused.
Sensing trouble, Kathua Deputy Commissioner, Rakesh Minhas, IAS, too constituted a three member committee to enquire into the matter and submit its report within two days. Headed by Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bani, the committee has members in Deputy Chief Education Officer, Kathua, who is headquartered at Billawar and principal Government Higher Secondary School, Kharote.
After the registration of FIR by police and constitution of an enquiry committee by the Kathua Deputy Commissioner, the people dispersed peacefully and opened their shops in the town.
Meanwhile, police parties have been despatched to apprehend both the school principal and the lecturer, Mohammad Hafiz and Farooq Ahmed, respectively.
The alleged incident reportedly took place during school hours on Friday, police said that the boy’s parents informed police about the incident on Saturday. The boy was immediately rushed to the hospital as he had bruises all over his body.