Three teachers suspended in Kulgam for alleged gang-rape

Srinagar: The School Education Department on Monday suspended three teachers of two Middle schools of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district following the alleged gang-rape of a 20-year-old girl.
Chief Education Officer (CEO) Kulgam, Muhammad Ashraf Rather said the victim and the teachers are from the same village.
“The girl has filed a complaint in the local Police Station following which one teacher has been put behind the bars while two others have disappeared,” he said, adding that “the victim was taken to an orchard and was molested there.”
He said on Monday, the district office of the School Education Department has suspended all the three teachers after the villagers approached them with the written complaint in this regard.
Rather said that the department has also constituted an inquiry committee in this regard, adding, “the victim is said to be 20-years-old and is not studying anywhere.”
Meanwhile, the concerned Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Kulgam has issued a suspension order against the accused persons.
“On the basis of written complaint submitted by inhabitants of village Chachmulla regarding sexual harassment of a local girl, the teachers allegedly involved are hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect pending inquiry,” the order reads.
Meanwhile, police in a statement issued on Monday said that Kulgam Police has arrested the prime accused involved in kidnapping and rape of a girl within 24 hours.
“Police Station DH Pora received a complaint stating that a girl (name with held) has been kidnapped and sexually assaulted by three individuals’ residents of Chachimullah and Gandwani areas of Kulgam,” police statement said, adding that accordingly, a case under FIR number 109/2020 under relevant sections of law was registered at PS DH Pora and investigation was initiated.
“A special team headed by SHO DH Pora under the supervision of SDPO DH Pora while acting swiftly arrested the Prime accused, a resident of Chachimullah within 24 hours after complaint was received. He has been shifted to PS DH Pora where he remains in custody. However, the other two persons are still at large and efforts are on to nab them,” the statement added.
After fulfilling all medico-legal formalities, the girl was handed over to her legal heirs, police said, adding that an investigation into the matter is in progress.
Moreover, police said the rumours are being floated by miscreants that police has let off the accused persons and the medical examiner was trying to convince the victim to change her statement.
However, police refuted the rumours as ‘baseless’ and said it is being propagated by vested interests to create unrest. “Floating rumours to instigate disturbance shall invite legal action against the erring individual. In case someone has specific information with respect to the rumours the same may be communicated to police so that necessary action can be taken,” police said.
Meanwhile, swift action by police against anti-social elements has been appreciated by the locals