NHRC notice to AP govt, HRD on stripping of 88 school students

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to Arunachal Pradesh government and Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry over the alleged stripping of 88 schoolgirls as punishment in Papum Pare district of the state. Taking suo motu cognisance of a report that 88 girls were forced to remove their clothes in front of their entire school, as punishment by the three teachers, when they did not confess for having written vulgar words against the head teacher and another student on a piece of paper, the Commission issued a notice to the State Chief Secretary, asking to file a detailed report in the matter within a month.

The Commission also asked the Secretary of the HRD Ministry to submit a copy of guidelines issued for the protection of the students from such maltreatment or humiliation circulated to the States within four weeks. The commission stated that punishment was meted out to them after they refused to confess having written vulgar words against the head teacher and another student on a piece of paper.

"Teachers are always highly respected in the society as they play the role of a true guide and protector for their students. Such an inhuman and insensible act cannot be expected from a teacher. Stripping minor girls, in front of the entire school, is an unethical and cruel act committed by the teachers who were their lawful custodians and protectors, at that time," the Commission said.

"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.