'Can't bear to see...': Haryana govt sets up panel to probe attack on 6 year-old in Panchkula govt school

Following an alleged assault of a six-year-old girl student by an eight-year-old boy inside a classroom of a government school in Panchkula, Haryana, the principal of the school has been suspended with immediate effect, TOI reported. The government has also formed a five-member committee to probe the alleged assault and ordered a safety audit of schools across the state, the report said.

The incident happened on October 28 and CCTV footage of the alleged assault was circulated on social media, which showed that the Class 3 student was grabbing the girl by her hair and repeatedly hitting her head against a desk, the report added.

Later, the boy allegedly kicked her and struck her with a brick-like object multiple times on her face and body, the report read. The girl was admitted to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, where she was reported to be stable and out of danger, it added.

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Panchkula Class 3 boy hits 6-year-old girl with brick

Moreover, the police are examining the circumstances leading to the assaults, the school’s supervision arrangements and the alleged lapses on the part of the authorities, it said.

Neelu, principal of Shaheed Major Anuj Rajput Government Model Sanskriti Senior Secondary School in Sector 20, Panchkula, was suspended and the police have registered an FIR against the principal and the girl’s class teacher over alleged negligence, the report said. 

“We will take further action on the basis of the inquiry report. Those found negligent will not be spared under any circumstances. Strict action will be taken against them,” Haryana education minister Mahipal Dhanda said in a news report.

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Haryana child rights commission seeks explanation from edu dept

Meanwhile, the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has sought an explanation from the education department, it added.

The government’s committee has sought a detailed report from the district education officer, Panchukla, on the incident and action taken by the school, and the education department, the report said.

The panel has sought details of the supervision arrangements at a time of the assault, deployment of teaching and non-teaching staff, the school’s immediate response and measures to ensure students’ safety, it said.

It has also asked for CCTV footage, duty rosters, attendance records and details of the departmental inquiry, it added. In addition, the Panchkula police team has taken the 8-year old to PGIMER for a mental health assessment.