SRINAGAR, Apr 15: Police have arrested five more people allegedly involved in vandalism during protests against sexual harassment of a girl student by a lecturer in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.The total number of arrested has now risen to 13.
A senior lecturer at a government higher secondary school in Sopore was on Monday booked on charges of sexually assaulting a female student, police said.
“In continuation of sustained action against elements involved in disrupting a recent student protest at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Sopore police have arrested five more miscreants during night-long raids,” the officials said.
They said the accused had infiltrated a peaceful protest by students and created law and order disturbances, including acts of vandalism resulting in damage to public property. On Tuesday, the police said five persons have been arrested.
Sopore police continues to take swift and targeted action against all those involved, they said.
The officials said 13 more people have been identified and efforts are underway to apprehend them at the earliest.
The raids and search operations will continue till all such elements are brought to justice, they added.
Police said it will not allow any individual to take advantage of sensitive situations to disturb public peace.
“All those involved in creating disorder will face firm and lawful action, and no one will be spared. Sopore police appreciates the continued cooperation and support extended by the people of Sopore in maintaining peace and order and urge all citizens to remain vigilant and continue assisting law enforcement agencies,” the police said.
Protests by students broke out after the matter came to light on Monday.
The Director of the Education Department has placed the lecturer under suspension and ordered a departmental inquiry against him.
Joint Director (North Kashmir) of the department has been appointed as the enquiry officer in the case, and is expected to submit a report within 15 days.
