A government school in Dahanadha, Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, became the epicenter of horror after 35 students wounded their hands with blades, pins, and babool thorns in a self-imposed ‘task.’ The revelation has ignited outrage and prompted swift administrative action.
Probe findings indicate the children dared each other into the act, with several confessing to following suit after seeing others. Investigations dismiss connections to addiction, blind faith, or sorcery.
Alerted on February 13, health officials inspected on February 18, documenting the cuts. The SDM-led inquiry delves deeper into circumstances.
DEO Abhay Jaiswal slapped a notice on Principal Puneet Ram Sahu, seeking a quick reply. Stern measures await if teacher negligence or external nudging emerges.
Sahu noted immediate escalation to superiors and sustained counseling since February 16 for kids and families, focusing on mental well-being to nip repeats in the bud.
Parents voiced deep concerns, noting normalcy at home versus school antics, and urged bolstered surveillance plus psychologist access. Collector Avinash Mishra pledged a comprehensive review to pinpoint influencers, vowing penalties.
This unnerving development spotlights critical gaps in student monitoring and the perils of unchecked peer pressure, calling for systemic reforms in child protection.