New Delhi, 14 August (H.S.):

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the deaths of three girl students following snake bites at a hostel attached to an ashram school in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district. The commission has issued a notice to the state's Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.

According to media reports, 79 girl students were sleeping on the floor of their room at the hostel due to a lack of adequate cots when a venomous snake bit six of them. Three of the students died, while the remaining three are undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Reports further stated that the hostel, which has been operational for nearly 25 years, lacks basic facilities. Snake-bite incidents are reported frequently in the district every year.

The NHRC has also directed that the report include details of the health condition of the three injured students.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar