An assistant teacher of a government primary school in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur was suspended Wednesday following allegations of sexually harassing a fifth-grade student, triggering a tense seven-hour confinement of the local education officer and other school staff by outraged guardians and residents.

The confinement, which began at 10:30am and lasted until 5:30pm, ended after police rescued Upazila Education Officer Shaila Jasmin Sayeed, the school's headmaster and several other teachers.

According to locals, the accused teacher behaved inappropriately with the student during class on August 31. After the victim informed her parents, the teacher stayed away from school.

However, when he returned on Wednesday morning, guardians attempted to detain him, but he managed to flee.

The outraged crowd then locked the headmaster and other teachers inside the school's office room. Upon receiving the news, Upazila Education Officer Shaila rushed to the scene with teacher leaders but was also confined by the people.

During the standoff, the victim's father submitted a written complaint to the officer, who immediately issued a suspension order against the accused.

Other female students also accused the teacher of inappropriate behaviour in the past, alleging that they felt uncomfortable around him.

Furthermore, guardians alleged that the teacher faced similar sexual harassment accusations during his previous postings at two other schools.

District Primary Education Officer AM Shahjahan Siddik said the teacher has been suspended due to the situation, adding that departmental action will be taken after a formal investigation.

Officer-in-Charge of Gangachara Model Police Station Abdus Sabur said they deployed a police team to rescue the confined officials after receiving an emergency call from the upazila education office.