Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town recently suspended a senior lecturer after large-scale student protests erupted over allegations of sexual harassment and abuse made by a female student, prompting police to register a case and initiate an investigation.

Unrest broke out at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School Sopore, where students staged a demonstration demanding strict action against the accused. A protesting student claimed the lecturer had subjected multiple female students to harassment, saying they were “seeking justice and accountability.”

As tensions mounted, senior officials reached the campus and assured students that action would be taken in accordance with the law. Police confirmed that a case has been registered following allegations of sexual assault, with an investigation currently underway.

According to an order issued by the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, senior Urdu lecturer Ghulam Hassan Mir has been placed under immediate suspension pending inquiry and attached to a school in Gurez, Bandipora.

The order added that the Joint Director (North) has been appointed as the inquiry officer and directed to submit findings within 15 days.

Separately, the district administration ordered the closure of key educational institutions, including degree colleges and higher secondary schools in Sopore, from April 15 to 17 to maintain law and order.

Sopore Senior Superintendent of Police Iftkhar Talib said a complaint alleging sexual assault has been received and formally registered. He added that the case is under active investigation.