School assures action against student involved in Chümoukedima bullying incident

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• Students participating in the anti-bullying signature campaign at North Town Higher Secondary School.

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• DIMAPUR — A video showing a student being verbally and physically assaulted by a group of girls has sparked public concern in Nagaland after it circulated widely on social media over the weekend.
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• The incident, reportedly recorded on May 31 (Saturday), is believed to have occurred around 4–5 pm, a few kilometres away from North Town Higher Secondary School (NTHSS), Chümoukedima, after school hours.
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• Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Principal of NTHSS, BB Chetri, confirmed that while one of the students involved in the incident was from NTHSS, the others seen in the video are not enrolled in the school.
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• He asserted that the school does not condone bullying and highlighted that just days before the incident, on May 28, the school had organised an anti-bullying campaign targeting students from Class 5 to 10.
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• The school has also submitted a letter of clarification to the principal director of School Education. While expressing concern over the incident, the school reiterated its commitment to upholding discipline, integrity and safety for all its students.

Also read: Chümoukedima Town Students’ Union demands action after viral video shows girl being bullied

• “After careful verification, it is confirmed that one of the individuals involved in uniform is a student of NTHSS. However, we would like to clarify that the other individuals present during the incident are not from our school,” the letter read.
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• The school assured that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the student involved, as per institutional rules.
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• Meanwhile, the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) of Chümoukedima has issued an appeal to the public, urging citizens to refrain from circulating, reposting, or distributing the video. The DCPU stated that recording and sharing videos involving children in distress or violent situations is a violation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and can attract legal consequences.
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• “Sharing such content further harms the child, violates their right to privacy and dignity and may lead to re-traumatisation,” the officer stated in the press release. Urging responsible and sensitive action from the public and media, the DCPU encouraged citizens to report such content to authorities instead of sharing it online and contact the CHILDLINE helpline at 1098 for assistance.
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• In response to the incident, the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has reiterated its directive to all registered schools to intensify anti-ragging and anti-bullying measures. It noted that such behaviours are not only detrimental to the emotional and psychological well-being of students but also violate the principles of a safe and inclusive learning environment.
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• The NBSE also directed all schools to conduct awareness and counselling sessions regularly to educate students about the consequences of ragging and bullying.
• It also directed schools to constitute anti-ragging and anti-bullying committees with representation from staff, parents, and students; install complaint/suggestion boxes; and ensure anonymity for victims or witnesses wishing to report incidents.
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• Schools have also been asked to display prominent notices in all key areas of their premises clearly stating that ragging and bullying are strictly prohibited and will attract severe disciplinary action.
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• Further directing schools to sensitise staff members to identify and handle such issues promptly and empathetically, the NBSE asserted that “safety and wellbeing of our students must remain our highest priority.”
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• KSUC condemns
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• Meanwhile, the Konyak Students’ Union Chümoukedima (KSUC) has condemned the incident, expressing disappointment over the behaviour exhibited in the video.
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• In a statement, the KSUC called on the school to take strict disciplinary action against those involved and warned that it may be forced to escalate the matter if the victim’s family's demands are not met.