Patna, Sep 18 (IANS) With the help of social media - Whatsapp and Facebook - hundreds of Patna Women's College students joined a protest and forced police to lodge a case against a teacher who allegedly sexually harassed a student.

The students protested for the third consecutive days on Friday against alleged sexual harassment by teacher Sanjay Dutta, demanding his arrest and action against college principal Mary Jessy.

Slogan shouting girls blocked busy Bailley Road in front of the college that distupted traffic for hours.

Initially, the girls were led by the mother of the victim when they staged a protest in front of the college gate.

The protesting students were backed by All India Students' Federation and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to put pressure on the college administration to take action against the accused teacher.

The All India Students' Federation is affiliated to the Communist Party of India and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is the students wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Vikas Vaibhav tried to pacify the girls and assured them that action would be taken in the case.

Vaibhav said police lodged an FIR on Wednesday against Dutta, who is a teacher in the Mass Communication Department. "The allegations, prima facie, seem to be of a very serious nature."

Vaibhav said additional security forces have been deployed in and outside the college and now the situation is peaceful.