Child Welfare Committee yet to act against torture' of students

ALAPPUZHA: The Child Welfare Committee here is yet to take any action over the complaints filed by eight   students of  Leo XIII Higher Secondary School  alleging harassment by the headmaster in November.   District child protection officer Sabu Joseph    had submitted a detailed report to the CWC on December 5 stating that   headmaster A.A. Xavier Kutty  had violated the right to education of  the students by keeping them   out of the class for several days for returning late to the school  after  offering Friday namaz on October 3.

CWC members Raji P. Joy and Sr. Shyni George had reached the school on December 7 and recorded the statement of the  headmaster, three class leaders, PTA   president, physical education trainer Roshan and  shopkeeper  Thomas John.  However, they didn’t record the statement of the students who had written the complaint.

Ms Marykutty Thomas, chairperson, CWC, said the  process will be delayed as it is examination time.    Ms Raji P. Joy    said that the procedure was going on and steps would be taken soon. Mr John said  that any step by the CWC without recording the statements of the  students  would be a mockery of justice.   The  students had alleged that the headmaster put a  stick inside their  trousers as they didn’t insert the shirts.  He squeezed their belly  and took them inside a room. When they cried for water, he asked a boy to drink the urine of another. Shopkeeper Thomas John had written down their complaint and forwarded it to the CWC.