The Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation has called for a comprehensive child-safety audit in educational institutions following the alleged rape, pregnancy, and subsequent death of a 12-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar district.
The Chenab Times has learned that the foundation convened an urgent online meeting to discuss the deeply distressing reports surrounding the incident. The victim, a fifth-grade student from the Gujjar community, was allegedly subjected to prolonged sexual assault by her school teacher, Khalid Hussain, leading to pregnancy. Further reports indicate that the child and her newborn tragically died after allegedly being administered pregnancy-termination medication, with her brother, Tariq Hussain, reportedly involved.
In a statement, the Foundation expressed profound shock and anguish, emphasizing the need for a thorough, impartial, and expeditious investigation to fix responsibility in accordance with the law. The members also voiced serious concern over allegations that the accused persons’ family is influential and is attempting to pressure the victim’s economically vulnerable nomadic family to hush up the matter.
The Foundation urged the Police and Civil Administration to immediately ensure the safety and security of the victim’s family and any material witnesses. They stressed that no individual, regardless of social or political influence, should be permitted to interfere with the investigation, intimidate witnesses, or obstruct justice.
The disturbing nature of the allegations was underscored by the fact that one of the accused was reportedly the deceased child’s teacher. The Foundation highlighted that teachers hold a position of trust and are expected to protect and guide children under their care. Any exploitation by such an individual represents a grave betrayal and warrants the strictest legal response.
Furthermore, the Foundation drew attention to the particular vulnerability of children from nomadic and economically weaker sections of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. Factors such as economic hardship, seasonal migration, geographical isolation, interrupted access to institutional safeguards, and reliance on local educational arrangements can leave these children susceptible to abuse and exploitation. The organization stressed that this incident should prompt authorities to examine the efficacy of child-protection mechanisms for children in remote, migratory, and marginalized communities, rather than viewing it as an isolated criminal case.
Given that an accused is reportedly a teacher and the victim was his student, the Foundation appealed to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the concerned Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the Police, and other competent child-protection authorities to take cognizance of the matter. They demanded a sensitive inquiry to determine if any other child in the school may have been subjected to abuse or harassment, with immediate action to follow if such information comes to light.
Adopting a broader perspective on child safety, the Foundation urged the NCPCR, CWCs, and the concerned administration to develop a mechanism for periodic child-safety audits, awareness programs, and confidential counseling services in schools and other institutions where children receive education or are supervised by adults.
The organization pledged its unwavering solidarity with the deceased child’s family, assuring them of support in their pursuit of justice. The Foundation reiterated its demand for a fair, transparent, time-bound, and uncompromised investigation, along with the preservation of evidence, protection of the victim’s family and witnesses, and prosecution of all individuals involved in the offense, destruction of evidence, intimidation of witnesses, or obstruction of the investigation. The accused’s immediate termination from service was also demanded.
The online meeting was attended by Dr. Nasib Ali, Kabir Choudhary, Fazal Hussain, Mustafa Ali, Noor Ahed Chouhan, and Sajad, who collectively expressed their anguish and reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the victim’s family and working towards the safety and protection of Gujjar-Bakarwal children.
The Chenab Times News Desk