Kishtwar Madrasa Teacher Accused of Beating 9-Year-Old; Boy Found 30 Km Away
A 9-year-old boy fled a Kishtwar madrasa after being beaten by his teacher and was found nearly 30 km away; the CWC has rescued him and legal action is underway.
A nine-year-old boy was allegedly beaten by a teacher at a madrasa in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, prompting a child protection response and the initiation of legal proceedings.
The boy, the son of a shepherd and a student at the institution, left the madrasa after the assault and was later spotted wandering alone close to 30 kilometres away. Local residents noticed injury marks on him and alerted the Child Welfare Committee.
The committee took the child into its care, arranged medical assistance and counselling, and began the process of legal action.
According to the boy's account, beatings were a regular feature at the madrasa and several other children were also subjected to corporal punishment on various pretexts.
Officials said the madrasa administration and the accused teacher would face strict action under child protection laws, and the police have been directed to register a case and investigate.
"After the medical examination, we will produce the child before the Juvenile Justice Board. An FIR will be registered against the accused and stringent action will be taken," Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar said.
Child rights activists condemned the incident and called for firm punishment, asserting that places of learning must not become sites of torture.