Protests erupt after 8-yr-old allegedly sexually harassed in Bengaluru

Alleging that a teacher had sexually assaulted a minor girl, angry protesters converged outside a school in Bengaluru to demand that he be handed over to them and indulged in violence when police tried to whisk him away.

The police used lathi-charge and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the violent protesters who pelted stones and torched a bike near the school while demanding instant justice.

The crowd manhandled the teacher as the police tried to move him from the locality, police said, adding some of policemen were injured in the violence. It was not immediately clear if the teacher has been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault on the minor.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner M N Reddi, who rushed to the spot, said there was an incident where a teacher is alleged to have sexually assaulted a seven-year-old girl in the school.

He said parents and other locals gathered in large numbers outside the school and demanded that ‘justice should be instantly given to that particular person’.

"Our officers and force lead by Additional Commissioner Alok Kumar stood firm and said that they will not allow such instant justice method, and they will be booked and we will investigate and we will produce him before the court which alone has the authority to impose any penalty," Reddi said.

But ‘some unruly elements’ of the local area did not pay heed despite the additional commissioner's request and hus attempt to convince them over microphone not to disturb
peace.

"Nevertheless, there was law and order situation wherein there was some stone throwing, bottles were thrown, police men were injured," he said.

"We had to use teargas and lathi-charge to disperse the crowd," he added. Reddi said "no need to pay heed to any rumours, the local area has been brought under control...."

"Any issue that is there that is beyond law should be brought to the knowledge of police. Police are the only authority who can take penal action against any individual. Public cannot take law into their hands...," he added.