At least 88 school girls from north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh were forced to undress before classmates as a punishment for allegedly writing obscene words about a head teacher.

The incident reportedly occurred on 23 November, but came to light four days later after the girls – grade six and seven students from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya – approached a local students' union, the Deccan Chronicle reported.

The All Sagalee Students Union (ASSU) reported the matter to police after which a complaint was filed against two assistant teachers and a junior teacher.

The accused had reportedly shamed the girls following the recovery of a piece of paper containing objectionable words about the head teacher and a girl student.

Superintendent of Police Tumme Amo said on Wednesday (29 November) that the case has now been transferred to the women police station. "The officer in-charge of the (women) police station said the victims and their parents along with the teachers will be interrogated before registering a case," Amo said.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has condemned the incident, saying such "heinous act" by the teachers gravely affects students.

"Tempering with a child's dignity is against the law as well as the constitution. To discipline a student is an attitude, character, responsibility and commitment of a teacher. Undressing a student is definitely not a corrective measure... Imposing such punishment is total violation of child rights, and more likely it may accelerate the risk of child abuse," the statement from the committee added.