Arunachal child rights panel calls for anti-ragging law after Sainik School tragedy, ETEducation
Itanaga: Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) on Monday submitted a special report on the unnatural death of a minor student at Sainik School, Niglok, in East Siang district, and proposed a new legislation titled “The HERO Act” to curb bullying and ragging in schools.
A delegation led by APSCPCR chairperson Ratan Anya met education minister PD Sona and handed over the report, prepared under Sections 14(2), 16(1), and 23 of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, along with other constitutional and administrative provisions, a statement said.
The report pertains to the death of a minor student on Nov 1 last year and is based on an independent statutory inquiry into child rights violations, institutional lapses, and systemic deficiencies in residential schools. Copies of the report have also been submitted to the governor, chief minister, chief secretary, and other authorities for consideration.
Given the sensitivity of the case, Anya said the report was submitted in strict confidence, in line with the confidentiality provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. She stressed that the findings highlight the urgent need for preventive, administrative, and policy-level measures to safeguard children in boarding institutions.
The report includes evidence-based findings, identification of institutional gaps, and an examination of existing safeguards. To strengthen accountability and child safety, the commission has recommended the enactment of a comprehensive anti-ragging and bullying law, ex-gratia compensation for affected families, and mandatory child safety standards across schools.
Anya said the proposed legislation, The HERO Act, aims to prevent bullying, ragging, and institutional neglect. “Heroism is not about dominating others; it is about standing up to those who dominate others, protecting the vulnerable, and upholding justice,” she said.
She added that the law would honour the memory of the deceased child while setting a new standard of heroism for children in the state, rooted in courage, compassion, and accountability. The commission also recommended that Nov 1 be observed annually as “HERO Day of Arunachal Pradesh”— an anti-ragging and child safety awareness day.
Reiterating that child protection is a constitutional responsibility, Anya said, “We cannot afford to wait for the next tragedy. Every gap and delay places other children at risk.” The commission assured full cooperation with the state govt in implementing corrective and preventive measures.
Meanwhile, APSCPCR said the education minister assured the delegation of the govt’s commitment to enact the proposed legislation at the earliest.
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