The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic deaths of two girl students in Odisha's Gajapati district. The incident occurred on April 15 when an iron gate of a government primary school collapsed on them.
NHRC Issues Notices
The commission has issued notices to the Odisha chief secretary and the Gajapati superintendent of police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks. The NHRC's intervention underscores the gravity of the incident and the need for accountability.
Details of the Incident
The accident took place at the Government Primary School in Rubudisingh under Nuagada block. After classes ended, the two girls were playing near the entrance gate when the iron gate collapsed. The victims were identified as 10-year-old Beckylesh Raita, a Class V student, and 9-year-old Idanti Raita, a Class IV student. Both were residents of the same village.
After the gate collapsed, locals rushed to the spot and pulled the girls from under the debris. They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival.
Tension and Compensation
The deaths triggered tension in the area, with villagers assembling at the school and demanding compensation. Police and local administrative officials later brought the situation under control. Soon after the incident, the local tehsildar and block education officer reached the spot to assess the situation.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered an RDC-level inquiry into the incident. He also announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 3 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the families of the two deceased children.
Background and Context
The incident highlights the poor state of infrastructure in many government schools in rural Odisha. The NHRC's suo motu action is aimed at ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and that measures are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. The commission's notice seeks a comprehensive report on the incident, including the circumstances leading to the collapse, the condition of the school infrastructure, and the steps taken by the authorities.
