HYDERABAD: Seven students of a government primary school in Warangal district suffered burns after the headmistress of the school allegedly gave them corporal punishment using a burning firewood.

The headmistress of a primary school at Jamandlapally village of Mahbubabad mandal in Warangal district took out a burning firewood (meant for midday meal) and allegedly punished the primary class students including some girls who were reportedly making noise in the school premises yesterday, a senior official said.

The headmistress identified as Sruthi Keerthi was suspended after the incident.

"I came to know about the incident only this morning. What the headmistress has done is not advisable and corporal punishment is against norms. She has been placed under suspension and the Mandal Education Officer has been asked to submit a report over the incident," Warangal District Education Officer (DEO) P Laxma Reddy said.

As per the report available, the headmistress used a burning stick to punish students resulting in burns. Though none of them suffered serious injuries but all the students were taken to a local hospital and discharged after treatment, the official said.

The DEO said efforts were underway to lodge a complaint with the police station concerned to register a criminal case against the headmistress.