Phulbani: A primary school headmaster beat up three students, all girls, for refusing to sweep the classroom floor.

The students of Mahasingi Nodal Upper Primary School at K. Nuagaon block of Kandhamal district suffered injuries after the headmaster beat them up with a baton.

The injured students were later shifted to the nearby government-run Baliguda community health centre by other teachers. The injured students are stated to be out of danger.

Irate guardians and parents have locked up the school demanding the arrest and departmental disciplinary proceedings against the headmaster.

Fearing public retaliation, the accused headmaster, Harish Chandra Sahu, fled from the school when the injured students were taken to the hospital.

"The violent behaviour on part of the school headmaster is unfortunate. We have been told by a section of parents that the accused headmaster had also beaten students mercilessly on past occasions. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Penal action would be taken against the headmaster," said block education officer Pramod Kumar Mallick.

"Teachers have been asked not to subject the children to corporal punishment. It has been often found that the teachers are not aware that meting out corporal punishment on students has become a punishable offence. Many cases are being suppressed. The rising cases of harassment, physical torture and abuse of children in schools indicate that it has become imperative for teachers to attend workshops and learn the difference between child abuse and discipline," said child rights activist Binayak Swain.