RAIPUR: A teacher at a govt-funded school in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh allegedly forced an eight-year-old girl to do 100 sit-ups and also beat her with a stick, resulting in serious muscle damage in her legs.The girl, a Class II student of the Pratapgarh school, is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital under medical supervision.The punishment was meted out on Wednesday for stepping out of the class to use the toilet, but the matter only came to light two days later, following which the Sarguja district education officer (DEO) immediately ordered an official inquiry into the incident.As the matter escalated, the regional officer of DAV Institutions, Chhattisgarh zone, ordered that the accused woman teacher and the school principal be sent on compulsory leave for an indefinite period until the investigation is completed.DEO Dinesh Jha told TOI: “The block education officer, along with a departmental team, has been asked to visit the school and record the statements of teachers, students, and the principal. Prima facie, it’s clear that something unpleasant has definitely happened with the girl, but what I’ve gathered is that the teacher in question doesn’t take any class for the girl directly.”“We are also looking into CCTV footage carefully as well and will ensure that the accused is punished appropriately after the probe,” Jha added.The girl told reporters that she was going to the toilet when a woman teacher stopped her suddenly. She explained why she was out of the classroom, but the teacher struck her twice with a stick and ordered her back into the class, where she was punished with 100 sit-ups. Soon afterwards, the girl complained of severe pain below her knees and collapsed immediately.The doctors treating her said her leg muscles have developed cracks due to the strain, leaving her completely unable to stand or walk properly. “The pain is so severe that she cannot lift her legs even slightly,” said her uncle, who is caring for her, as her father works far away in Ambikapur.The minor’s kin alleged that the school management dismissed their complaints, saying “there was no fault on our part whatsoever”. “We will approach the police if the school continues to be in denial mode,” her uncle said.“Days have passed and my daughter is still crying in pain. This is not discipline; it is brutality in the name of teaching,” her mother said. Block education officer Indu Tirkey said: “If teacher is found guilty, strict and severe action will follow.