DC sets up committee to probe sexual abuse of LKG student

MANGALURU: Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim has set up a four-member committee headed by the assistant commissioner, Mangaluru sub-division, to submit a factual report into the incident where a three-and-a-half year old LKG student was allegedly abused sexually by the driver of her school van. The committee has been directed to submit its report in three days and follow reports already submitted by city police commissioner and tahsildar of Mangaluru taluk.
The committee comprises deputy director of department of public instruction, and superintendent of Lady Goschen Hospital as members, and deputy director of the department of women and child welfare as member secretary. The committee has been constituted following a representation received from DK District Muslim Organization and others who held a protest in front of the office of the deputy commissioner on March 20.
The committee has been asked to take a holistic view of the entire incident, explore all possible angles and take help of the stakeholders concerned, including the parents of the victims, their neighbours and public, who would like to share their views on the issue. Ibrahim also directed the committee to hold consultations with the school management where the girl was studying. The alleged incident took place on March 13.
Meanwhile, a community page has been opened on Facebook in support of the child who has been described as Baby Nirbhaya by the creators of the page. A group of citizens took out a silent candlelight protest to register their angst at the incident. Mangaluru City Police too had convened a meeting of all educational institutions and issued them a 14-point directive to ensure children's safety.