Rengma Students’ Union (RSU) expressed its deep anguish and grave concern over the brutal and inhumane assault on a student of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS), Kohima, on February 20.
A press release by RSU stated that the victim, clad in full school uniform, was mercilessly assaulted outside the school premises, over an incident which occurred inside the school campus, leaving him critically injured and currently fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). It stated that such heinous act of violence was not only shocking but raises serious questions about safety and well-being of students under care of the school.
The student body also questioned the concrete steps taken by school authority to address bullying both on and off campus, mechanisms currently in place to prevent such violent incidents, and were they ever truly implemented or enforced?
RSU was appalled by what appears to be a glaring failure of responsibility on the part of the school to protect its students, and urged the school authority to take immediate and transparent action against the accused individuals, pointing that it is the moral and institutional duty of the school to ensure that those responsible for this act of brutality are held accountable and that justice is delivered without delay.
The students’ body further added that the incident has inflicted not only severe physical trauma on the victim but has also deeply shaken the confidence of students’ community, and called upon DBHSS Kohima to immediately implement stringent anti-bullying measures, conduct thorough investigations, and take disciplinary action wherever necessary. “A culture of silence and inaction in the face of such incidents cannot be tolerated”, the statement added.
RSU also shared their thoughts and prayers for victim and his family during this deeply distressing time, and stated that RSU stands in full solidarity with them and pledged its support in their pursuit of justice.