Assistant school teacher suspended in Rayagada

Koraput: An assistant school teacher has been suspended for allegedly engaging students in his cotton field in Rayagada district, district administration sources said today.

The district education officer has also been asked to probe into the matter and further action may be taken once the inquiry report is received, said Rayagada district Collector, Sashi Bhusan Padhi.

The teacher, Baburao Himirika of Upgrded Primary School at Matikanda village in Rayagada block, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect, the sources said.

Himirika had allegedly promised Rs 100 a day to 17 students, including 14 girls, for plucking cotton in his field, they said.

The students, aged between 5 and 12 years, were rescued by district child protection committee and police on Tuesday, they said.