YAIRIPOK, March 19: A special judge of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act has sent a 61-year old warden cum teacher of a school to police custody till March 22 for allegedly molesting a 16-year old student of the school.
The accused has been identified as Keisham Ibohanbi, of Yairipok Bishnu Naha Awang Leikai under Yairipok Police Station.
Ibohanbi had opened a boarding at an aided high school in the locality some years ago and acted as the warden of the boarding as well as English teacher.
It is learnt that on March 18, the accused forcibly molested and attempted to rape the student when no one was around in the campus.
It is also said that the accused also threatened the student against reporting the incident to anyone and at the same time tried to mollify her with some gold, money and other materials.
However, another student who was witnessed to the whole incident stealthily called and informed the parents of the victim, following which the parents filed a case under POCSO Act, informed the source.
Ibohanbi was arrested late last night from his home and was produced before A Guneshwar Sharma, special judge POCSO Thoubal District. The judge remanded him to police custody till March 22 for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the school issued a notification expelling the accused from the school.
On the other hand, a public meeting was held at the locality of the accused, however, the meeting ended without any resolution being arrived at.
Several student bodies have also issued press statements decrying the incident.
The All Manipur Students Union has issued a press statement decrying the incident. It said the AMSU Thoubal District Committee view the incident seriously.
It said the student body take the issue to be against the student society and added there have been similar charges against the accused before also.
It said the accused has been ban from being a teacher indefinitely. If the concerned authorities fail to take the issue seriously, the student body will launch certain agitations.
The All India Students’ Federation, Manipur State Council has also issued a statement condemning the incident, while stating that the young student is presently appearing for her board exam.
It further demanded strong action against the accused.
The student body has also demanded why no lady warden was kept at the boarding which has both girls and boys hostellers.
