FAISALABAD, Sept 9: Students of the Government Girls College, Madina Town, staged a sit-in in front of the principal’s offices and besieged the entire administration block here on Monday in protest against the failure of the education department for taking action against the principal for what they said shielding her husband involved in a rape case.

Students came out from their classrooms in the morning and gathered outside the principal’s office. They tried to enter the official residence of the principal but the college staff stopped them.

They chanted slogans against the principal, her husband Muhammad Rafiq, the alleged rapist, district administration, police and high-ups of the education department.

Executive district officer (education) Muhammad Rauf rushed to the college and assured the protesters that the principal would be sent on leave.

However, they rejected the offer and demanded the pricipal’s removal from service.

Armed police commandos have been deputed in and outside the college premises to avoid any untoward incident.

A senior staff member claimd that they were being harassed by the administration and education department officials for protesting against the principal.

Meanwhile, a rape case has been registered on the orders of Lahore High Court against Rafiq and principal Nargis on the petition of the maid, 21. The couple has been granted pre-arrest bail till Sept 13.