School closed down

our correspondent

Itagar, September 10: The Upper Siang district administration on Wednesday suspended the registration certificate of Liitung Liimang Public School at Geku and ordered closure of the school with immediate effect, following public unrest over the rape of a seven-year-old student of the school by a teacher recently.

The minor girl was raped and mentally harassed by Vasu Devan P N, the teacher of the same school recently. An irate mob attacked the teachers on Monday who, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment. The mob also ransacked the school building and damaged a vehicle. The people of the area have demanded for closure of the school.

Keeping in view the tensed situation prevailing at Geku township, the deputy director of school education (DDSE) Yingkiong, on the direction of district administration, made a spot visit to Geku on Wednesday, an official report said here today.

The administration also instructed the DDSE to explore possibilities for immediate admission of the 284 affected students of the school into nearby Govt and private schools of the locality and in other schools of the district. Geku based Panggi Welfare Society had earlier demanded permanent closure of the school and cancellation of school registration. They also insisted that the accused person should not be granted bail and should be awarded with life imprisonment.

The society along with Geku unit of Aruchal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) has also threatened to launch massive democratic movement if its demands were not fulfilled. The APWWS on Wednesday took out a peace rally at Geku town condemning the dastardly act. The accused teacher was teaching Social Science and Computer up to Class-III standard in the school for the last two and half year. He was also the warden of the Junior Boys hostel, the report added. Meanwhile, the All Aruchal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) today condemned the incident in its strongest term and demanded exemplary punishment to the teacher.

“The teacher who committed the crime against his own student should be stringently punished so that a strong message is sent throughout the state,” commented AAPSU spokesperson Tanya Agu.

“This incident is not the first of its kind. Earlier too, such incidents have taken place in various private schools of the state. Therefore, it is high time for authorities to take cognizance of such incidences and strictly monitor hostels being running in the state. Moreover, any private schools or hostels not following the basic criteria for safety & security of the students should be banned from functioning,” said union’s general secretary Biru si in a statement.