Kataka: Accusing a teacher of a primary school in Kataka district’s Mahanga area of assaulting a differently abled Class 3 girl student, causing severe injury to her left eye, the student’s father has lodged a police complaint. The incident has been reported from Siripur village under the Nritanga panchayat in Mahanga police station limits.

According to the complaint filed by the girl’s father, Amulya Kumar Samal, his minor daughter, Debasmita Samal, was allegedly beaten by Mamata Dehuri, the in-charge headmistress of Siripur Primary School, on September 3 after the child went to use the school toilet.

The father alleged the assault caused serious damage to his daughter’s left eye. Following the incident, the girl was admitted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar for treatment. Samal claimed doctors treating his daughter informed the family that the eye had suffered severe and irreversible damage.

However, Dehuri has denied the allegation. She said she did not assault the student and alleged the girl’s father had made the accusation against her for other reasons.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident based on the complaint lodged by the girl’s father.

A Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) said the injury appeared to have occurred after something struck the girl’s eye. The officer added appropriate action would be taken if the investigation establishes any wrongdoing.

The exact circumstances surrounding the girl’s eye injury are yet to be established, and the investigation is underway.