Kin of electrocuted JNV student gets compensation

Shillong, Oct 15: The management of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Mawphlang has paid a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the family of Nathaniel Sohtun, a class XI student of the school, who died of electrocution while taking a shower in the school hostel on July 28.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah, who is also the chairperson of the school, on Tuesday said the government cannot pay any compensation to the family since the student did not die in any natural calamity.
“But I have information that the school management has transferred the compensation amount to the bank account of the deceased student’s mother today,” she said.
Kurbah along with other officials of the district administration and members of the Parent Teachers Committee of the school had carried out an inspection of the school on October 8 to take stock of the safety of the students and the hostellers.
She informed that the CPWD has made an assessment and also prepared the estimate of the new electrical connection to be installed in the school and the tender work was awarded on Monday.
She also informed that they have assigned an electrician attached with the CPWD to check all the wirings to ensure  the safety of the students.
The DC said the school has been conducting online classes for students of Class 6 to 12 after it was shut down following the student’s death. The students recently attended the school to write their offline examination.
“We are planning to reopen the school on November 7. But we will not take any risk and open the schools only after getting the safety certificate from the CPWD,” the DC said.
Parents of the students had recently written to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan complaining about the various anomalies in the school including the failure of the principal to address the problems faced by students.
In a letter to the Union minister, the parents said they were compelled to write to him since the principal was reluctant to address the problems experienced by the students in the school and hostel.
They mentioned the faulty electrical fittings and lack of electricity while also referring to the tragic incident on July 28 where a student lost his life due to electrocution.
The letter also mentioned the poor sanitation in the hostel premises compelling students to live in unsanitary conditions risking their health.