The lack of running water facilities in state-run ashram schools in the interior tribal areas of Visakhapatnam has raised concerns about the safety of students. The issue took an alarming turn earlier this week after a 15-year-old tribal girl student drowned in the Chaparai canal.
The deceased, E Rani, hails from the Guntaseema village in Dumbriguda mandal, and was a student of the Tribal Welfare Girls Hostel in Dumbriguda. The Dumbriguda police registered a case under CrPC Section 174 (Police to enquire and report on suicide) after the girl’s parents filed a complaint. The complaint stated that three girl students went to the canal to wash their clothes.
Speaking to TNM, Sub-Inspector Himagiri L said, “After taking a shower at the hostel, they went to the nearby canal. They tried to venture inside. One girl was somehow saved by the second girl, but the deceased student could not come out.”
However, the hostel, which has over 200 students, is reportedly facing a shortage of running water, due to which the girls are forced to go to nearby water bodies to take a bath or wash clothes.
Tribal rights groups and child rights organisations are demanding that action be taken against the school management and alleged that there was negligence on the part of the state government in providing basic amenities.
Speaking to TNM, Adivasi rights activist Vuke Ramarao Dora alleged that the government has not paid attention to the problems of the tribal welfare schools and has completely neglected them. “You (government) have admitted the children by assuring their security, but the negligence has come at a heavy price. The bathrooms are not in usable condition and nor is there running water,” he said.
“Officials are now trying to cover up the matter. If they provided water earlier, the student would have not died,” he added.
Demanding that action be taken against the concerned officials responsible for the incident, Ramarao said that they are meeting higher officials to complain against the management.
Child Rights Commission takes note
Ganta Hymavathi, the Chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Commission for Protection of Child Rights, condemned the incident and directed the officials of the Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) officials to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents.
Speaking to TNM, she said, “Students depend on the water bodies as the hostels don't have sufficient running water facilities. This is a problem in all tribal welfare schools in the district. There is no proper water facility or infrastructure,” she said.
“We have sought a report from ITDA officials on conditions of the hostels in the area and asked them to take necessary measures. The negligence is visible in all welfare schools. The 120 welfare schools in the district lack basic amenities,” she said.
The Chairperson also directed officials to provide necessary assistance to the victim’s family.
ITDA’s Paderu Project Officer Balaji DK said, “We have already issued a memo to the concerned Deputy Warden. He will be placed under suspension soon. An inquiry has also begun into the matter. After the report comes, we will take action against anyone who is responsible,” he said.
When asked about the lack of running water in the hostel, he said that there are no “adequate water sources” and said that they are trying to do their best.
When asked about lack of infrastructure in welfare schools, he said, “We sent proposals for compound walls, bathrooms and other development work. However, as the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in effect we are unable to complete them.”