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About 36 female students were taken to a local hospital in India after standing up to young men who were harassing them.
On Saturday evening, the victims aged 10 to 14 were playing in their school in Supaul district, Bihar, reports The Hindustan Times.
A group of men, some in their teens, passed by and sexually harassed the girls, as well as made lewd comments. In response, the girls confronted the men, allegedly beating up four boys.
After retreating, the group of men returned — some with their parents — and attacked the victims with bamboo sticks and other objects, reports Gulf News. Teachers were also involved in the altercation.
Supaul district magistrate Baidynath Yadav said up to seven girls remained in the hospital and will be discharged soon. Four boys were arrested Sunday and nine people have been identified with the case. Yadav said more arrests will be made.
Supaul Parliament member Ranjeet Ranjan paid the girls a visit in the hospital. She said the victims have internal injuries and require better treatment.
Meanwhile, the girls have been defended on the streets with protests from local residents and student organization Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Rallyists barred a national highway for about three hours, dispersing only after Yadav promised that the rest of the accused attackers would be arrested. Niña V. Guno/JB
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