Tauseef Ahmad
Sopore, Apr 13: Tension gripped north Kashmir’s Sopore town on Monday after an alleged harassment incident involving a girl student triggered protests by students, prompting authorities to suspend classes in several institutions and initiate action against the accused lecturer.
Officials said students, particularly girls, staged protests demanding strict action against the accused, raising slogans and calling for justice. The demonstrations, however, later subsided peacefully after assurances from authorities.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore, S A Raina, said that classes at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Sopore, Boys Higher Secondary School (BHSS) Sopore, and Government Degree College (GDC) Sopore will remain suspended from April 15 to April 18 as a precautionary measure in view of the situation.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) suspended senior Urdu lecturer of GHSS Sopore and attached him to BHSS Badugam in Gurez, Bandipora, pending inquiry. The Joint Director (North) has been appointed as inquiry officer and asked to submit a report within 15 days.
Official sources said the action followed intervention by Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar, who brought the matter to the notice of Education Minister Sakina Itoo. The exact nature of the allegations could not be immediately confirmed.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sopore, Iftikhar Tallib told media that the legal action has been initiated in the matter and an FIR has been registered against the accused teacher. “We have taken cognisance of the allegations and acted promptly. The teacher has been suspended and further investigation is underway,” he said.
He added that police teams were on the ground engaging with protesting students. “The girls were protesting, and we are in touch with them, explaining that legal action has already been taken. We hope they will understand and maintain calm,” the SSP said.
Students during protests raised slogans asserting their rights and demanding justice, with some chanting, “We will never give up… this is our women’s right.”
