Ballia (UP): A local public school teacher was suspended Sunday for allegedly pulling the hair and kicking a fifth-grade student, officials said.

The incident reportedly occurred a few days ago at a primary school in Bisouli.

Manish Kumar Singh, Basic Siksha Adhikari (BSA) of Ballia district, said a complaint had been received against Ajit Yadav and he was accused of pulling a girl’s pigtail and kicking her.

After receiving the complaint, the Bairia Block Education Officer (BEO) initiated an investigation on August 13.

Students in the girl’s class told officials that Yadav pulled the girl’s hair and kicked her, Singh said.

The victim also spoke to investigating officers and told them about the incident, he said.

Singh said the teacher’s conduct violated the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and the Uttar Pradesh Government Officers’ Disciplinary and Appeals Rules, 1999.

He said Yadav had been suspended and the BEO had been directed to submit a report within 15 days.