New Delhi, 6th August, 2013

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report, the National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Secretary, Elementary & School Education, Assam and DM & SP, Chirang calling for reports within four weeks into allegations that ragging by seniors lead to serious injuries to 12 minor students of a Government run residential school in the District. Four of the victims were left with broken bones.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the minor students. It has also asked the DM to inform about the status of health of the injured students.

According to the media report, that the minors, who had taken admission in class 7th and 8th last week, were attacked with bamboo poles and wooden planks on the night of July 29, 2013 after they evaded a "ragging session" by seniors. The school authorities allegedly tried to hide the incident. The parents of the victim students have lodged an FIR at the local police station.

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