Torture of students: Child Welfare Committee takes statement of students, staff

ALAPPUZHA: Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Thursday recorded the statement of three class leaders, staff and a shopkeeper in the alleged torture at Leo XIII Higher Secondary School after district child protection officer (DCPO) doubted its 'legitimacy'. The hearing by committee members Raji P. Joy and Sr. Shyni George continued for hours. They had met headmaster A. A. Xavier Kutty, Parents Teachers Association (PTA) president, physical education trainer Roshan and shopkeeper Thomas John alias Shaji individually.

Mr John said it would be "mere travesty" if the complaining students were not heard. "I don't know whether the hearing will be continuing on Friday and the aggrieved kids called in," he said. "However, I have narrated the sequence of incidents since they students approached me on November 6. I think the CWC distrusts the DCPO. Now I am waiting for the final decision." The class leaders also understood to have given statements against complaints.

Marykutty Thomas, chairperson (in-charge), CWC, did not respond to the allegations. She also refused to say whether they would continue the hearing on Friday. The DCPO says students were forced to write such a complaint after the headmaster kept them out for several days for late-coming after Friday namaaz on November 3 without informing their parents. The students had accused the headmaster of putting a stick inside their trousers and torturing.