Teacher, watchman arrested for raping tribal girls in Ch'garh

 Two persons, including a teacher, have been arrested for allegedly raping minor inmates of a government-run residential school for tribal girls in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, police said today.

Accused Mannu Ram Gota, 24, a contractual teacher, was arrested last night from forest area of Narharpur, Superintendent of Police Rahul Bhagat said.

Medical examination has confirmed rape of nine out of the 40 students, who are residing at the hostel located in Narharpur police station limits, he said. Medical tests are still underway.

Yesterday, school watchman Deenaram was arrested in the case for sexually abusing the girls over several months.

The Chhattisgarh government has ordered a high-level probe into the incident and Director General of Police Ramniwas has deputed IPS officer Neetu Kamal to investigate the case.

Stringent action will be taken against those who will be found guilty after the probe, the DGP said.

Meanwhile, services of both the accused along with hostel warden Babita Markam have been terminated by district collector Alarmelmangai.

Condemning the incident, opposition Congress has accused the state government of being unable to protect women.

A probe committee of the Congress headed by senior party leader Ganga Potai today visited the children and their parents, following which it will submit its report to high command in the state.