Itanagar, Jan 12: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has submitted a Special Report to the State Government regarding the unnatural death of a minor student at Sainik School, Niglok, in East Siang district.
The report was presented to Education Minister P D Sona by APSCPCR Chairperson Ratan Anya along with Commission members Niri Chongrowju, Honluk Lukham, and Ngurang Achung. Member Secretary Yakar Dawe accompanied them. Also present was the Commissioner Education, Amjad Tak.
The report is based on an independent statutory inquiry into the incident conducted by the Commission, focusing on possible child rights violations, institutional lapses, and systemic gaps in ensuring 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 necessary action.
Given the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of minors, the report has been submitted in strict confidence in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and other applicable laws.
The Commission stated that submitting the Special Report at this stage reflects the gravity of the findings and the urgent need for immediate preventive, administrative, and policy-level interventions to ensure the safety, dignity, and well-being of children in boarding and residential educational institutions across the State.
Among its key recommendations, the Commission has proposed the enactment of a comprehensive Anti-Ragging and Bullying law in Arunachal Pradesh, to be known as “The HERO Act,” aimed at preventing bullying, ragging, and institutional neglect in schools. The Commission also recommended ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved family.
Through this initiative, the Commission seeks to send a strong message that heroism lies not in dominating others, but in standing up against injustice and protecting the vulnerable.
The proposed law would not only honour the memory of the deceased child but also establish a new standard of accountability, including zero tolerance for collective punishment, mandatory child safety standards, and clear mechanisms for institutional responsibility across educational institutions in Arunachal Pradesh
The APSCPCR further suggested observing 1st November as “HERO Day of Arunachal Pradesh”, to be marked as an Anti-Ragging and Child Safety Awareness Day, to promote awareness on child safety and anti-ragging measures.
Reiterating that child protection is a constitutional and statutory responsibility, the APSCPCR emphasized that incidents involving children in institutional care require prompt, coordinated, and systemic responses. The Commission cautioned that any delay or inaction places other children at risk.
The Education Minister assured the Commission of the government’s commitment to take the proposal forward at the earliest.