Corporal punishment by a lady teacher meted on 12 girls, in a school in the Nellore District was condemned by the authorities. The shocked girls were treated in a hospital. The incident occurred in Gudur town of the district, on Tuesday. The news spread like hot fire and many political parties and NGO organizations demanded action against the erring teacher and the school management.

According to police, the teacher at a government-run school lost her cool when the class 7 students did not recite an English poem. She asked them to do 150 sit-ups. As many as 12 students collapsed after doing some sit-ups and had to be rushed to a local hospital. The students were in a state of shock and complained of severe body pain. Police have booked a case against the teacher identified as Pratima of C.S. Rayudu School. According to students, she is not a regular teacher but was working as a computer operator in the school. As the English teacher was on leave, she was taking the classes. The district collector visited the school. Leaders of various political parties also called on the students and demanded action against the teacher.