It is alleged that a Class 10 girl of the government high school at Melnachipattu near Chengam, was pulled up by Mathematics teacher Kannan (46) of Tiruvannamalai, for not being studious. The girl has reportedly complained to her parents that Kannan beat and behaved inappropriately with her.    

On October 8, the girl’s parents took up the issue to with the school headmaster, who promised to shift Kannan to another class and later to another school. However, students stood solid behind the teacher and said that Kannan was a disciplined person. The students also strongly opposed the headmaster’s move to shift Kannan to another class and school.

On Monday, a 30-strong group of friends and relatives the girl’s family along with members of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) stormed into the school to demand action against Kannan. 

An altercation broke out between the school authorities and the group. Suddenly, some members of the group barged into the room where Kannan was handling a class and thrashed him in front of the students.

On information, Pachal police rushed to the spot, rescued Kannan, who suffered injuries to head in the assault, and sent him to the Chengam Government Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Chengam District Educational Officer conducted a preliminary inquiry and submitted a report to the Vellore Chief Educational Officer (CEO), S Mars as the Tiruvannamalai CEO V Jayakumar was on leave.

When asked about the incident, Mars told DT Next, “Initial inquiries with students reveal that Kannan is a good-natured and a disciplined person. Students have also given their views in writing about the teacher in question. However, we are waiting for the final report of the inquiry.”

It may be recalled that sometime back four teachers of a government higher secondary school were attacked inside the classroom, near Vellore.