The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the School and Mass Education Secretary over the death of a minor student in class room due to negligence of school authorities in Keonjhar district.
Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy in his petition to NHRC stated that on July 18, 2018, a Class IV student of Barigaon Upper Primary School under the Ghasipur police station in Keonjhar district died of snake bite inside the classroom.
The victim Mamali, daughter of Pramod Sahu of Barigaon village, was bitten by a poisonous snake inside the classroom. Other students informed the class teacher and Headmaster of the school but they did not take the matter seriously.
During recess when Mamali did not come to have her mid-day meals, students informed some locals, who admitted the girl to the Anandpur Sub-Divisional Hospital, by that time the student was dead. The negligence of school authorities in ensuring safety and security of the student amounts to severe violation of human rights of the victim, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case and ensure safe and secure environment to all the school students of Odisha and pay compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family members of the deceased student.
The NHRC has sought a report within four weeks from the authorities.
The rights panel also warned that in case, the report is not received within the stipulated time, the commission would be constrained to invoke coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 for personal appearance of the concerned authority.”