NHRC notice to Gujarat government

Taking cognizance of the fact that students in a Gujarat village have to swim across a river to reach their school because there is no bridge, the NHRC Wednesday issued a notice to the state government.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said that in the absence of a bridge, about 125 students of five villages in Chhota Udepur district of Gujarat have to swim across the Hiran river to reach their government school in Narmada district.

It said despite several requests by the villagers to construct a bridge over the river, no action was taken by the authorities.

The commission observed that this raises the issue of the violation of right to life of the children and the right to education of those who are not able to go to school due to this problem.

"The commission has issued a notice to the chief secretary, government of Gujarat, calling for a report within four weeks," the NHRC said in a statement.