New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Arunachal Pradesh Government to pay Rs 5,000 each monetary relief to 88 girl students of a state-run school, who were forced to remove their clothes in public by three teachers as punishment.
'The Rights Commission has recommended that the Government of Arunachal Pradesh pay Rs 5,000 each, as monetary relief, to the 88 girl students of the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, District Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh, who were stripped off their dignity when forced to remove their clothes in front of the entire school, as punishment by the three teachers.
'None among them confessed to having written vulgar words against the head teacher and another student on a piece of paper on November 23, 2017,' according to a NHRC statement on Tuesday.
'The Commission's directions have come after confirmation of the reports by the State Government.The NHRC was informed that the act of three teachers had been found inhumane and cruel. Their action on minor girl students was against the basic human dignity and decency. After inquiry, the Education Department placed one teacher under suspension, while the two others were removed from service,' it stated.
'The matter was reported to the police station and a case had been registered under section 354 (b) of 34 IPC read with Section 21 (1) of Protection of children against sexual offences Act. The three teachers were arrested and later released on bail. The affected girl students had been imparted emotional and psychological counseling,' according to the NHRC.
'The State Government has also served a show cause to the Chairman, Arunachal Farmers' Development Society, Sagalee, which is running the KGBV, seeking explanation why the MoU signed between the society with SSA, 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 it is also proposed to install cameras in the girls hostels,' it stated.
The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has informed that a series of guidelines have been issued to the State Governments on the safety and security of girl students in the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.
'The Commission has observed that the report from the Government of Arunachal Pradesh indicates that the concerned State authorities have failed in their responsibility to protect the Right to dignity of the 88 girls for which vicariously they are liable. The criminal proceedings initiated against the guilty teachers have been noted but the State Government should also pay a sum of Rs 5,000 each as monetary relief to the 88 girl students. It has also asked for a compliance report along with proof of payment within four weeks,' the statement added.
