A delegation of Congress leaders, led by state unit chief Nandkumar Patel, met Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and demanded dismissal of the state government saying the state government has failed to ensure safety of the girls living in residential schools.
In a memorandum to Governor, Congress said that everybody was shocked by the incident of rape with inmates of Tribal Girls Pre-matric Hostel in Narharpur area of Kanker.
Around 11 minor girls were allegedly being raped since the last two years by the watchman and a contractual teacher, which has raised a question-mark over the safety of children, especially girls, in a government-run institution, the party said.
The local Panchayat had complained about the incident to the local administration six months ago, but they did not take action, the party alleged.
"The appointment of male staff in a girls' residential school was also objectionable," the party said adding that it was the moral responsibility of the government to ensure safety of girls residing in such schools.
The opposition alleged that Chief Minister Raman Singh had broken the trust of people, who send their children for studying in these institutes. "Several incidents of rape had been reported in the state over the last one month, yet the government has not woken up from its slumber," it said.
Chief Minister has said that a probe was on and those found guilty would not be spared. He also said that women staff would be appointed at the girls' residential schools and hostels henceforth.
Meanwhile, the warden of the residential school Baita Markam has been terminated, while Assistant Commissioner (in-charge) of Tribal Development Department S K Vahane and Block Education Officer (BEO) SS Navarji were suspended.
The watchman Deenaram (23) and teacher Mannu Ram Gota (24) of the hostel have been arrested in connection with the rape of tribal girls. Medical examination has confirmed that nine out of 40 girls, who lived in the hostel, had been raped.
