Patna, Nov 26

Five officials of the Government Railway Police were suspended late Monday for not helping a group of 93 school girls who were harassed by some youths on a train they boarded here.

Railway Superintendent of Police Upender Kumar Sinha said that five Government Railway Police (GRP) officials, including a sub-inspector, were suspended.

"After the suspension, the department will take action against them," Sinha said.

A group of youths, claiming to be examinees for a railway recruitment test of the East Central Railway at Dhanbad, boarded the Ganga-Damodar Express Saturday night here and occupied the seats reserved for the girls.

The girls, students of Classes 9-12 of Carmel School in Dhanbad and Digwadih, were returning from a two-day educational tour in Patna. They were accompanied by five teachers and a nun.

When the girls and their teachers asked the youths to vacate their seats, they not only refused but also sexually harassed and abused them.

Sinha said that a special team has been set up to investigate the case and has been sent to Dhanbad to record statements of the school teachers and the students.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Monday asked Additional Director General of Police (Railway) P.N. Rai to inquire into the matter immediately.

In a written complaint sent by fax from Dhanbad to Railway Superintendent of Police Patna, teachers said they informed police officials on duty at the railway station and sought their help but the officials ignored them.

The teachers in their complaint said they were also manhandled by youths when they protested their unruly behaviour.

After no help came forth from police officials, the shocked and traumatised girls and their teachers ran to an AC three-tier coach on the train, where seats had been booked for some of the students.

They were forced to spend the night in the crammed compartment and reached Dhanbad Sunday.

By:IANS