​Itanagar, Jan 12: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), led by its Chairperson Ratan Anya, along with Members Niri Chongrowju, Honluk Lukham, Ngurang Achung, and Member Secretary Yakar Dawe, met the Minister for Education, P. D. Sona, in the presence of the Commissioner of Education, Shri Amjad Tak, and submitted a Special Report under Sections 14(2), 16(1), and 23 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, and other applicable constitutional and administrative provisions of the State.
​​The Special Report pertains to the unnatural death of a minor student at Sainik School, Niglok, a residential educational institution in East Siang District.
​​The Report is the outcome of an independent statutory inquiry conducted by the Commission, examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, with particular focus on child rights violations, institutional lapses, and systemic deficiencies affecting child safety in residential schools.
​​The Commission has submitted the Report to the Governor, Chief Minister, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary, Commissioner (Education), and Commissioner (Women & Child Development) for official consideration and appropriate action.
​​Given the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of minors, the Report has been submitted in strict confidence, in compliance with the confidentiality provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and other applicable laws.
​​The Commission stated that the decision to submit the Special Report at this stage reflects the gravity and urgency of the findings, and the pressing need for immediate preventive, administrative, and policy-level measures to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of children residing in boarding and residential educational institutions across the State.
​​The Report contains: Evidence-based findings from the statutory inquiry, Identification of institutional and systemic gaps in child protection, Examination of existing safeguards and their enforcement.
​Recommendations aimed at strengthening supervision, accountability, and child safety mechanisms, Importantly, the Commission has recommended the enactment of a comprehensive Anti-Ragging and Bullying Act of Arunachal Pradesh, and has also recommended the grant of ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved family, in recognition of the gravity of the incident and the State’s responsibility towards child welfare.
​Further, the proposed Anti-Ragging and Bullying legislation, to be known as “The HERO Act,” seeks to prevent bullying, ragging, and institutional neglect in schools, particularly residential and boarding institutions. Through this proposed legislation, the Commission sends a clear and resonant message to every child across Arunachal Pradesh: Heroism is not about dominating others; it is about standing up to those who dominate others, and in doing so, protecting the vulnerable and upholding justice.
​This law will not only honour the memory of the deceased child, but will also establish a new standard of heroism for the children of the State, grounded in courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and seeks to establish clear accountability mechanisms, zero tolerance for collective punishment, and mandatory child safety standards across educational institutions in Arunachal Pradesh.
​​Additionally, the Commission has recommended that 1st November be designated as “HERO Day of Arunachal Pradesh”, to be observed as an Anti-Ragging and Child Safety Awareness Day, with the objective of promoting awareness, sensitization, and collective responsibility against bullying, ragging, and all forms of violence against children.
​​The APSCPCR reiterated that child protection is a constitutional and statutory responsibility, and that incidentsinvolving children in institutional care demand prompt, coordinated, and systemic responses. The Commission emphasized that the State cannot afford to wait for the next tragedy before acting, and that every gap and delay places other children at potential risk.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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