Indian schoolgirls on hunger strike over sexual harassment

Thirteen schoolgirls have gone on a hunger strike in the northern Indian state of Haryana to protest against sexual harassment.

The girls, aged between 16 and 18, told the BBC that men often made sexual remarks when they travelled to school in another village and that local officials in Rewari district had failed to protect them.

Police have promised to provide better security for the girls and the government has said it will upgrade the existing school in their village to higher-secondary level so they no longer have to commute to school.

The students, who have been drinking water but refusing food, said that they would not end their strike until they saw written orders.