Sexual harassment complaints by students: Strict action will be taken, central zone IG says

TRICHY

: Central zone inspector general of police V Balakrishnan on Tuesday said strict action would be taken under the

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences

(POCSO) Act on

sexual harassment

complaints by school students.

Balakrishnan held a virtual interaction with headmasters and principals of 255 schools in the central zone. He asked them to share police helpline numbers with students to help them come forward with complaints.

He said appropriate inquiries would be carried out on such complaints. Strict action would be taken under the POCSO Act based on the outcome of the inquiry, said Balakrishnan.

A Chennai school teacher was arrested recently for inappropriate behaviour during online classes. He was arrested based on sexual harassment complaints by girl students.

The IG held the meeting with the representatives of schools to prevent such incidents in schools in the central region. He asked schools to strictly follow the norms laid down by the state government for online classes.

The IG asked schools to record the online classes. The footages should be examined by a team comprising members from the

parents teachers association

in regular intervals.

The schools are asked to ensure that teachers engaged in online classes behave in a dignified manner and students attend the classes without hesitation and fear.

Police officers who are dealing with cases of crime against women and children have been asked to coordinate with schools to ensure safety of the students.