Agartala, July 03: Tripura government has suspended a Headmaster of a school's primary section for giving physical punishment to a girl student.

Binay Priya Chakma, Headmaster of Depacherra SB School, under the Inspector of Schools, Pecharthal in North Tripura district had subjected a girl student to 'brutal physical punishment' on June 28 last.

When the incident came to the attention of Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, he immediately directed the Secretary to the Education department to take prompt action, following which the teacher was suspended from his service a day after the incident with immediate effect.

The suspension order mentioned that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 prohibits 'Physical Punishment' and 'Mental Harassment' under section 17(1) and makes it a punishable offence under section 17(2) as it affects the mental and physical health of students as well as destroys the learning environment of the school.