Sambalpur, Dec. 8: A teacher of the Brooks hill Upper Primary School of the city was thrashed today by the guardians of a student of the institute for allegedly showing obscene photographs to students.

Physical education instructor Gopala Krushna Behera had allegedly shown the obscene photographs to the students at the school at Sakhipara in the Dhanupali police station limits onDecember 1.

The matter came to light today after a girl student, who is studying in Class VI of the school, told about the incident to her elder sister.

Subsequently, the student's family members came to the school and complained against the teacher to the authority.

They thrashed Behera on the school premises. Police had to intervene and rescue the teacher from the student's family members.

'The teacher called us and showed us obscene photographs. However, when I went to complain about the incident to the headmistress, the teacher threatened me not to complain,' said the student.

'My sister had brought the matter to the notice of the headmistress. But, the school authority did not take any action against the teacher.The teacher should be dismissed,' said the student's elder sister. She also alleged that the school authority was trying to protect the teacher, who had committed the offence.

Assistant headmistress Sarita Panda, however, said: 'We organised a parents' meeting in the school after the girl had brought this matter to our notice on December 1. The teacher had apologised in front of everybody in the meeting. We also informed our higher authority about the incident on the same day.'

Block education officer Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra said: 'The teacher was engaged in the school on part-time basis. However, we are inquiring into the matter. Appropriate action will be taken against the teacher after inquiry.'

'A case has been registered. The teacher has been detained. We are inquiring into the matter,' said inspector in charge of Dhanupali police station S. Barik.