NHRC notice to Himachal chief secy, DGP over student’s death

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the death of a class 6 student due to alleged delay in providing medical care to him after he was hit on his head by a fellow student in his school.

Photo for representation.

Ravi S.Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 22

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Himachal Pradesh, calling for a detailed report on the death of a class 6 student due to alleged delay in providing medical care to him after he was hit on his head by a fellow student in his school.

The officers have been asked to submit the report within four weeks.

The boy was hit on the premises of Government Senior Secondary School, Charuri, under Sukhar gram Panchayat in Nurpur, Kangra district, on May 15.

A communiqué of the commission said the police reportedly did not take any action in the matter till May 21. The locals held a protest in front of the school against its authorities and the Gangath police for taking the incident casually.

“The allegations of carelessness on part of the school authorities in providing the timely treatment to the victim boy, if true, amount to gross violation of human rights. The school authorities, who were the lawful custodian of the boy at the time of the incident, seem to be negligent due to which, a precious young human life was lost,” the Commission noted.

The victim’s mother, a widow and resident of Ghatot village, is said to have lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister, DGP and Kangra SP that the Gangath police and the school administration were trying to hush up the case.

Reportedly, before prayer, the victim was playing in the school ground when he was attacked by a fellow student with a stick. The boy fell unconscious and started bleeding from head, nose and mouth.

“It is stated that the school management failed to provide him timely treatment due to which he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was initially taken to Tanda Medical College from where he was referred to PGI, Chandigarh,” the communiqué said.

The police authorities allegedly tried to hush up the case when the incident was reported to them and the FIR not registered despite several requests.

“Later, following public outcry the Deputy Superintendent of Police reportedly rushed to the spot, met the family members of the deceased and also assured a fair inquiry into the case,” it added.