Asansol, Aug. 6: A girls’ high school in Asansol has introduced martial art classes after the headmaster received complaints from students that some of them were being harassed by youths outside.

Subhas Biswas, the headmaster of Hindustan Cables High School, said: “Police had stepped up patrolling near our school but we had to look for a permanent solution. The police have other areas to patrol, too. As youths continued to tease our students, I decided to teach our girls martial arts so that they could protect themselves.”

The kung fu classes for girls between Classes VIII and XII are held on Mondays and Fridays.

Biswas said Papun Pal, a former student of Hindustan Cables High School for Boys who has a black belt in kung fu, was training the girls.

The students said they were happy learning kung fu.

“When our headmaster told us about the training programme, I was thrilled. I had seen heroines kicking and punching villains in films. Now, I can do the same if required. Some youths regularly tease us when we come out of school. I will teach them a lesson once I complete the training,” said Maya Kumari of Class IX.

Guardians also welcomed the move.