Chhattisgarh: Security checks in Kanker’s girls’ hostels

RAIPUR: Days after a school principal was suspended for sexual harassment of girls in Kanker district of Bastar division, the collector has initiated a massive drive in all residential hostels, kanya ashram shalas for inspection, ensuring security, self-defence training and health concerns of girls.
An all women officers’ team has been constituted for each block in district which would inspect the hostels on several parameters including women security guards, if the girls are being behaved well by staff members, hygiene and cleanliness, quality of food, water and toilets.
Speaking to TOI, Kanker district collector Priyanka Shukla said that considering the safe growth of girls residing in ashram shalas and residential schools, I decided to constitute teams of women officers who would make frequent visits to the hostels and also interact with girls.
“The minor girls are being told about good and bad touch and are being imparted with training for self-defence too. Karate classes are also in the pipeline for all the hostels,” Shukla said.
Women officials of social welfare department who are part of the team said that each team comprises of four female officials and they are visiting hostel to check upon security, health issues, status of studies and career orientation. The girls are being counselled as well, and it was found that’s the most essential thing needed among teens.
They said that the students are being encouraged to perform well and the meritorious students would be sent for a tour as a gift from collector.
The incident of sexual harassment with over a dozen minor girls at a Charama located government hostel in 2011, was a shocker and since then, efforts are being made towards ensuring safety and security of hostels.
Recently, on the immediate orders of collector, the school principal was suspended when complaints reached to her about sexual harassment of girls.