The headmaster of a public school in Karimganj district in the Indian state of Assam has been charged with forcing a student to watch pornography in class, police said on Saturday.

Karimganj Police Commissioner (SP) Partha Pratim Das said the incident took place on August 12 and police have filed a case against the teacher under several sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Family members of the girl said she was initially hesitant to tell them about the incident, but later told her mother. “She said the teacher forced her to look at something ugly. He also touched her inappropriately,” a family member said.

The SP said angry local residents tried to attack the teacher but he managed to escape. They vandalised the school and set it on fire, he added.

“Since the locals have caused damage to government property, we will also file a complaint against them. We are already investigating the matter,” he said.

“We send our children to school so that they can get an education and become better people. But what do they learn from a teacher like this?” said a local who wished to remain anonymous.