The headmaster and a teacher at Government Panchayat Union Primary School at Vedanvadi village were suspended after they were arrested under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act for alleged sexual harassment of girl students.

The police said the arrested teachers were identified as S. Ravi, 58, headmaster, and D. Muralidaran, 42, teacher. Initial inquiry revealed that a group of survivors alerted the child helpline (1098) about the sexual harassment.

Immediately, a team of officials of the School Education Department led by S. Thilainayaki, branch educational officer, inspected the school campus and spoke to 12 affected students in classes four and five.

Based on inquiry by the team, a case was registered at All Women Police Station (AWPS) in Tiruvannamalai town. The headmaster and teacher were arrested and lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way.