BAGHMARA, June 17: Social activist Greneth Sangma has filed a formal complaint against the management of Ascension Secondary School in Dumnikura, South Garo Hills, after a minor student was allegedly barred from his mid-term examinations in retaliation for filing an FIR against a teacher.
The incident began on June 12, when a teacher at the school allegedly assaulted the student, punching him repeatedly in the chest and back. Following the unprovoked attack, the victim’s father filed an FIR at the Gasuapara Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act.
However, when the student returned to school on Monday to appear for his exams, the principal allegedly prevented him from entering the hall, claiming he could not participate because he was involved in a court case.
The minor was reportedly made to wait in the principal’s office until the exam concluded.
In his complaint filed on Tuesday, Sangma termed the school’s action a “gross constitutional violation” and an act of institutional malice. He argued that the school is penalising a child to pressure the family into withdrawing a serious criminal complaint against a staff member.
“The teacher intervened not to protect the students, but to perpetrate severe custodial violence. Driven by personal animosity, the teacher targeted, physically assaulted and repeatedly punched the student on the chest and backside. Corporal punishment is a severe offense under the law of the land, a formal First Information Report (FIR) has already been lawfully registered by the parents against the accused teacher,” stated Greneth.
He pointed out that barring the student violates Section 16 of the RTE Act, which prohibits holding back or expelling a child during elementary education. He also noted that the initial assault violates Section 17(1) of the RTE Act and Section 75 of the JJ Act.
The activist has demanded that the student be allowed to write his remaining papers immediately. He further called for the suspension of the accused teacher, stating that allowing an individual facing an assault FIR to remain in contact with students is a neglect of safety protocols.
Sangma warned that if the school fails to rectify the situation, he will move the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) and the court to press additional charges of conspiracy and harassment against the management.
“The school management must immediately place the accused teacher under suspension pending the final outcome of the criminal investigation. Allowing a staff member facing an active FIR for physical assault against a minor to remain in active contact with students is a gross neglect of child safety protocols,” he felt.
