Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Dec 01: Taking suo moto cognizance, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has written to the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh seeking detailed report on stripping of students in a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya at Sagalee on November 23 last.
NHRC also sought details regarding the action taken against the teachers and counseling of the students. It sought the report within four weeks.
Altogether, 14 students between classes Vl-VII were allegedly forced to strip and seventy more students were partially undressed as corporal punishment. The human right commission also asked the Secretary, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development whether any guidelines for protection of such maltreatment or humiliation students have been made or circulated to the state.
The Commission further observed such an inhuman act committed by the teachers is inexcusable.
“Stripping minor girls infront of the entire school is unethical and cruel act committed by the teachers who were their lawful custodians and protectors at that time. The right to dignity of the innocent minor girls has been grossly violated and it will definitely take time for them to overcome the trauma” the Commission added.
Week after the report surfaced, the Education department issued suspension order against Nabam Janu and termination of Thinley Wangmu Thongdok and Sangeeta Khalkho for their alleged involvement in the incident. A committee has been constituted to enquire the entire episode through Deputy Commissioner Papum Pare.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Satya Gopal did not respond to the query sent by this daily regarding the NHRC notice.
