New Delhi, 24 April (H.S.): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged deaths of two schoolgirls due to the collapse of an iron gate at a government primary school in Odisha's Gajapati district. Deeming the incident grave, the Commission has sought a detailed report from the state administration.

On Friday, the NHRC issued notices to the Chief Secretary of the Odisha government and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gajapati district, directing them to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. The Commission observed that the episode raises serious questions about child safety measures, necessitating a thorough investigation.

The cognizance was based on media reports published on April 16, 2026. According to these accounts, on April 15, the main iron gate of a government primary school in Gajapati district suddenly collapsed, critically injuring two girl students caught in its path.

The girls were rushed to a nearby hospital immediately after the mishap, where doctors declared them dead. The tragic accident has sparked mourning and outrage in the area, with locals questioning the school's safety protocols and demanding action against responsible officials.

The NHRC clarified in its notice that if the media reports prove accurate, the matter constitutes a serious violation of human rights, particularly highlighting potential administrative negligence in ensuring child safety. The Commission seeks to ascertain why safety standards were not upheld in the school premises and what measures have been taken against those accountable.

Further action will be determined upon receipt of the state's report.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar