New Delhi, 07 August (H.S.): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of a viral video from Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district showing school students climbing onto the pillars of a check dam to cross the Betwa River on their way to school. The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh and sought a detailed report within two weeks.

According to media reports cited by the Commission, schoolchildren from Kakraua village in Vidisha district are risking their lives by climbing over the pillars of a dam to cross the Betwa River. They reportedly take this dangerous route because it reduces their journey from 13 kilometres by road to just 1.5 kilometres.

Nine students from the village are reportedly crossing the river in this manner every day to reach school.

The Commission observed that the absence of safe transportation facilities for children travelling to school amounts to a violation of their fundamental right to education with dignity.

According to reports, the District Education Officer visited the site and apprised the District Collector of the situation. However, no specific timeline has yet been announced for the construction of a safe route for the students to cross the river.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar