'Child Safety Baton' drive to kick off on September 8

To mark the first death anniversary of Class 2 student Pradhyumn who was killed at a Gurugram school, a "Child Safety Baton" campaign will be launched on September 8 -- the day the seven-year-old was done to death, said the bereaved father on Friday.

The baton -- on the lines of Olympic batons or the likes -- will be taken across the country to raise awareness on child safety among the masses.

The child's murder had triggered nation-wide protests. His body was found with its throat slit in the school's washroom on September 8. Investigators said a Class 11 student committed the act so as to force deferment of exams.

Barun Chandra Thakur, father of the deceased, told IANS: "These brutal incidents take place just because the government fails to create awareness among the citizens and schools which do not follow the basic norms."

"A Class 10 student from Uttar Pradesh killed his Principal just because he was expelled by the latter. Where is our society going? What is the evil force behind such behaviour?" said Thakur.

He said it is the need of the hour that the Central government considers these serious incidents and tackles the matter in a holostic manner.

In order to create awareness, Thakur said the symbolic safety baton which would from the Epic Centre Auditorium at Gurugram will move around India passing through every state capital.

Pradhyumn Foundation started by Thakur has sent a request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding to declare September 8 as Child Safety Day.

--IANS

sm/nir