Principal held hostage for ‘misbehaviour’

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, July 17

Pardeep Khanagwal, principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Arniwala, was detained in his office by staff members and villagers on Tuesday. The protesters were demanding action against the principal for allegedly misbehaving with women lecturers.

Sources said the staff had lodged a complaint with the Education Department some time back, but no action was taken. They had even met Fazilka SSP on Monday.

When Khanagwal reached the school on Tuesday morning, he was gheraoed by the staff members and the villagers in his room. He was allowed to move out at 3.30 pm only after police intervention.

District Education Officer Kulwant Singh said he had constituted a four-member committee to look into the charges.

Khanagwal alleged that he was thrashed by the protesters. He said he had been warning absentee lecturers to attend classes, but they had levelled false allegations against him.