CEO Rajouri initiates inquiry after HS students hold protest against corporal punishment

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, AUGUST 01:–Students of high school Manyal, both girls & boys, under Thanamandi education zone in Rajouri district on Monday held a protest against a teacher after allegations of corporal punishment to girl students.
Students and some parents today blocked the Rajouri-Thanamandi road and raised slogans against the teacher and demanded immediate action against the teacher namely Liaqat Ali.
A video clip of the protest also went viral on social media platforms.
Girl students and a father of a victim girl student, who is also vice-sarpanch of the area, also alleged that most of the time Liaqat Ali resort to use objectionable language against the girl students.
Students alleged that on Saturday said teacher after closing the classroom door severely thrashed some girl students of the 10th class and a few of them got unconscious.
“My daughter, a student of 10th class, was also beaten mercilessly by Liaqat Ali and she regained consciousness after a few hours. Liaqat is upset over some domestic issues and whenever he gets irked he resorts to corporal punishment to girl students” said the vice Sarpanch.
After information about the student’s protest, Dr. Vikas Dhar Bagati, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Thanamandi rushed Tehsildar to the area to conduct a preliminary inquiry into an alleged complaint of corporal punishment.
After Tehsidar’s report, SDM Thanamandi in an order (No.SDM/TM/R/156-61 dt 1/8/2022 asked the Chief Education Officer to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter as per the regulations.
“Tehsildar Thanamandi has reported that on preliminary enquiry the allegations appear serious and require a proper and detailed enquiry by the authorities so that the required action under law is taken” read SDM order.
In the order, SDM has also directed Liaqat Ali teacher to report to CEO at Rajouri for further orders.
Meanwhile, Shailash Kumari, CEO Rajouri after viewing the contents of a viral video clip (protest of students against corporal harassment) and on the direction of SDM, Thanmandi vide her office order (No CEOR/MC/2022-23/ 19933-37) has constituted a three-member committee to ascertain the facts/enquire the matter in-depth.
The Committee includes Abdul Rauf Dar, Principal GHSS Rajouri & DEPO; Principal. GHSS at Saj, and Saheen Ara, senior lecturer HSS Planghar.
Committee members have been asked to visit the spot to inquire about the matter in-depth and to submit a report within two days.
Corporal punishment is a physical force used with an intention to cause some degree of pain or discomfort and is a form of violence against children, which is a violation of children’s rights to respect for human dignity and physical integrity.