Teacher held for sexual assault

A school teacher was remanded for alleged sexual assault of a girl in an Adidravidar welfare primary school in Kondal village in Sirkazhi on Friday.

The accused Moovendan (26), a temporary teacher, was arrested based on a complaint preferred by the girl’s mother.

According to the police, the man was also found to have abused five other girls between 9 and 10 years of age over the past one month. The accused has been working in the school for over six years.

The government school has only two permanent teachers for 167 students. Moovendan with class X qualification had joined the school as an office assistant six years ago and was paid out of staff contributions. Over time, he assumed teaching responsibilities with no supervision.

Earlier, the parents along with others entered the school and locked up the two permanent teachers, even as the accused was absconding. As the issue escalated, police traced Moovendan and had him remanded.