Gujjar-Bakarwal ST Girls Allege Harassment, Physical Assault Against Hostel Warden in Doda

Scheduled Tribe girls staying at the Gujjar-bakarwal girls hostel in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda staged a peaceful protest outside the hostel, alleging harassment, mistreatment and physical assault by the hostel warden. The protesting students alleged that the warden had physically assaulted and harassed some of the girls. One of the students, Ayesha Chaudhary, claimed that four to five girls allegedly became unconscious at night following an incident at the hostel.

Another student, Benazir Ara, alleged that government-provided supplies meant for the welfare of Gujjar and Bakarwal girls were not being properly distributed among the students by the hostel authorities.

According to the protesting students, they have allegedly been facing harassment for the past two years. They claimed that they had earlier approached the district administration with their complaints, but alleged that no action was taken against the warden or the concerned teacher.

Following the protest, Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal, SSP Doda Kartik Shrotriya and ACR Doda Ashraf Parvaiz visited the Gujjar-Bakarwal Girls Hostel. The officers interacted with the students and heard their complaints and concerns.

DC Doda Krishan Lal said that ADC Doda has been appointed as the Enquiry Officer to investigate the allegations.

He said the matter would be thoroughly examined and that if the allegations against the warden or teacher are found to be true, appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.

The district administration has assured the protesting students that their complaints will be examined through the inquiry process.