New Delhi [India], Feb 9: A dance teacher of a conspicuous girl’s school in West Bengal’s capital Kolkata was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually harassing a Class 2 student for the last six months, police said. The accused was charged under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act after the girl’s mother lodged a complaint with the police.

The mother came to know that her daughter was being sexually harassed on Thursday when the child refused to go to school. The child revealed that she was being harassed by the teacher after the mother prodded. Angry parents demanding action against the accused teacher gathered in front of the school in Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata on Friday morning.

They also alleged that there are no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside the campus and questioned the presence of male teachers in a school meant only for girls. Authorities deployed policemen at the school to tackle the situation. Two police officers, including the officer-in-charge of Tollygunge police station, were injured in a scuffle with the agitating parents.

Education minister Partha Chatterjee said the government will look into the matter if there were lapses on the part of the school. “There are safety guidelines laid down by the state government. The school authorities should also keep a vigil that such incidents do not take place,” Chatterjee said.

“It’s despicable. Are there CCTV cameras to keep an eye on what’s happening? It’s all the more necessary where girls study,” the minister added.

School authorities did not issue any statement till 2 pm but Sudeshna Ray, a member of West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said they did not deny the allegation and were “sympathetic to the victim and her family”.