New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued a notice to the Odisha government over the delivery of a baby by a Class VIII girl student in Kandhamal district.
The commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the 14-year-old girl delivered a baby girl in a state-run tribal residential school in Kandhamal on January 12.
After the delivery, the victim girl along with her newborn baby was driven out of the hostel and she was forced to take shelter in a nearby jungle.
The girl along with her newborn baby was traced with the help of local police on January 13 and admitted to a hospital.
The Commission has issued a notice to Odisha Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks regarding action taken against the guilty and relief/ rehabilitation as well as counseling provided to the victim girl.
The girl belongs to Scheduled Tribe, hence, the Commission would also like to know details of the sections under which FIR has been registered and status of statutory relief as per provisions of the SC/ST (PoA) Rules, 1995.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, amount to gross violation of human rights of the minor girl who, apparently, became the victim of the apathy and gross negligence of the school administration.
The state is responsible for the safety and security of the girl students, residing in the residential schools. It is apparent that the school headmistress and hostel warden have failed to protect the poor girl while she was in their custody and due to their negligence she has suffered mental agony and social stigma.
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