The Fakir Mohan College here is again hit by unrest as a group of students on Monday demanded action against two senior lecturers, including the head of a department, who allegedly subjected girl students to mental, sexual and moral harassment.
The accused teachers are Dr Harihar Kanungo and Dr Dinabandhu Behera, head of the department and a lecturer of the Odia department, respectively.
The students demanded the duo’s suspension and arrest. While on Saturday, the students had closed the main gate of the college, and on Monday they submitted a memorandum to the district Collector and Superintendent of Police reiterating their demand.
The students alleged that both the teachers are continuing to come to the college though the principal is maintaining that they are on leave.
On the other hand, Principal Dr Sudarshan Nayak said, “The leave for the two teachers which was sanctioned was not extended. Further, Kanungo has been removed from his post and replaced by Dr Harish Chandra Barik. The Odia PG department and its board of studies have been restructured.”
Crime DSP Amaresh Panda said, “Within a month, a number of raids have been conducted at several places to nab them (the accused teachers).”
The agitated students have also approached the Bar association for relief. The women wing of the Bar conducted an inquiry into the issue.
One of the girl complainants alleged, “We were subjected to sexual harassment by these teachers, mainly by Kanungo, for about six months. He used to call us in off working hours and on holidays to the college with bad intentions. Since some of us didn’t oblige, we were given less marks in our papers. Therefore, we demand stringent action against them, suspension and arrest.”