Journalism of Courage
Even as a special medical board examined 11 of the 14 girls who were allegedly raped by a teacher-cum-warden of Green Valley English Medium School,investigations have revealed that the school did not have the mandatory registration required for private schools in Arunachal Pradesh.
We have found serious irregularities in the foundation of the school. While it has not been registered with the education department,all the seven teachers from outside the state do not possess Inner Line Permits, said T Amo,a Superintendent of Police who has been dispatched specially from Itanagar to conduct the investigations.
Meanwhile,the State Womens Commission has said that the number of girls actually raped and molested in the school hostel would be much more than what has been reported. We also suspect that Visvan is not the only offender. From what the girls told us,at least two of the other three male teachers who live in the same campus should also be arrested, said Gumri Ringu,chairperson of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) who met six of the girls who were allegedly raped and/or molested.
Meanwhile,12 boys including the brother of one of the victims raised a protest inside the campus and beat up Visvan. It was the brother of first girl who had gone and complained to the principal. When she couldnt elicit any response from him,she went and disclosed it to her elder brother,a class VII student who is also a boarder in the school hostel, Amo said. The principal then locked up the school gate,but the boys scaled it,ran to the police station and reported the matter,he said. The police is now trying to track down the girl. Once we trace her,we will also be able to ascertain the role of the principal and why he refused to take the matter to the police, Amo said.
Meanwhile,chief minister Nabam Tuki,while describing the Likabali incident as unfortunate has directed fast-tracking of the trial in the case. Deputy commissioners have been directed to prepare reports on private schools in their respective districts,with particular reference to permission,affiliation and safety measures.
We have called for a report about Visvans past from his home district in Kerala as well as in Ziro,where he worked earlier Amo said. The medical board also examined Visvan on Friday.
