Class 6 boy sexually abused by senior students for three months in Assam school, 7 arrested
The child initially kept quiet due to fear, then wrote a detailed report to his parents, who then approached the school authorities
In a shocking incident in Assam, a class 6 boy was sexually abused for three months in a central government-run school in Kamrup district. Seven class 11 students have been arrested.
The accused and the victim are minors, and they are students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Rangiya, Kamrup.
According to the school principal’s complaint, the class 6 boy and the accused were staying in the boys’ hostel. The child initially kept quiet due to fear, but later wrote a detailed report to his parents, who then approached the school authorities.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Rangiya police station.
The juvenile court has sent the boys to a reform school for 14 days. A medical examination of the victim has been conducted. The police are recording the statements of the accused and the school authorities.
The police said they are also probing the role of the school authorities and whether there are security measures in place to prevent such acts in the premises. Police sources said that the footage of CCTV cameras in the school and hostel premises is being scanned for clues.
Incidents of harassment at JNV centres in Assam’s Rangia
2022 at JNV Moran: A group of 30–40 Class XI students from JNV Moran attacked a five-month pregnant teacher and verbally abused and threatened her when she informed her parents about the misbehaviour of the students. A total of 22 students were suspended, the Navodaya Assistant Commissioner went to investigate and the parents demanded strict action against the culprits. Separately, there were several complaints of junior students being rocked and beaten with belts and bamboo sticks in the hostel. Parents alleged a cover-up by the administration.
2016 JNV Rangiya: A class IX student allegedly attempted suicide by consuming phenyl due to harassment by senior hostel students. The student’s mother filed a police complaint against the school administration, alleging that the principal was not taking action despite informing the principal. The Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan initiated an investigation and a show-cause notice was issued to the school principal.
A 2013 government report, following a high-profile case of sexual assault leading to pregnancy in Tripura, acknowledged the increasing incidence of sexual abuse in JNVs. In response, the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti issued a 14-page guideline for all schools clearly defining the forms of abuse, emphasizing zero tolerance and outlining consequences under the POCSO rules.
