Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 20: A 7th standard student today consumed poison after being subjected to corporal punishment at a school in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Family of the girl said that she was harassed and beaten by her teachers at a private school – where she is enrolled since last three years – after they found a mobile phone in her possession.
“They dragged her from one classroom to another and thrashed her ruthlessly. Earlier, also she was harassed by her teachers on pretext of one issue or other,” mother of the girl said.
The victim’s mother, who is a Pakistani national and arrived in Valley under surrender policy, admitted that her daughter was holding a mobile phone but claimed: “I am a fashion designer and I had given the mobile phone to her to show some designs to someone. The phone had no SIM card but my daughter was not only beaten but also humiliated by school authorities.”
She said that such was the humiliation level that her daughter took extreme step by attempting suicide. “She consumed some poisonous substance but we came to know at right time.
Despite many attempts, the Principal of the School did not receive phone calls. Meanwhile, a police official said that the statement of the girl has been recorded and they are conducting preliminary probe to ascertain the overall facts.