GUWAHATI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday directed the BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh to pay Rs.5,000 each to 88 girl students who were stripped by their teachers as punishment following the discovery of a vulgar note written against the headmaster and another student.
The NHRC issued the directive after the state government had confirmed the incident which took place at the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) in Papum Pare district in November last year. The Commission said three teachers were found to be involved in the “inhumane and cruel” act.
The students were stripped in front of the entire school when none of them admitted to having written the vulgar words on a piece of paper. Following an inquiry by the state’s education department, one teacher was placed under suspension while the two others were removed from service.
“Their action on the minor girl students was against the basic human dignity and decency. The three teachers were arrested and later, released on bail. The affected girl students were imparted emotional and psychological counselling. The state government also served a show cause notice to the chairman of Arunachal Farmers’ Development Society, Sagalee, which runs the KGBV, seeking an explanation why the MoU signed between the society and the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rajya Mission, Itanagar, should not be terminated. It has also been directed that male headmasters and teachers engaged in all KGBVs in the state be replaced immediately and cameras installed in girls’ hostels,” the NHRC said in a statement.
The Commission said the state authorities had failed in their responsibility to protect the right to dignity of the 88 girls. The criminal proceedings, initiated against the guilty teachers, have been noted but the state government should pay Rs.5,000 each as monetary relief to the victims, the Commission said. It also asked for a compliance report along with proof of payment within four weeks.