Visakhapatnam: Ten Class 9 students at a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) hostel in Krishnapuram, Bheemili, were left frightened after they discovered that their braids had been cut while they were asleep, prompting a probe into the incident and hostel security arrangements.
Incident reported at KGBV hostel
The incident reportedly occurred late on September 16 at the KGBV hostel in Krishnapuram, where the students were sleeping in two rooms.
Six girls were sleeping in one room and four in another when they realised that their hair had been cut while they were asleep. Around 38 Class 9 students are staying in the two rooms at the residential school.
The unusual incident initially raised concerns that an outsider might have entered the hostel during the night. However, police and school authorities are also examining whether fellow students could have been involved.
Police examine CCTV footage
Police have spoken to the students and are checking the available CCTV footage to determine what happened and identify any person who may have entered the rooms.
Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao visited the school on Sunday and interacted with the students, parents and management. He called for a detailed investigation and said there appeared to be little possibility of an outsider entering the hostel.
“There is very little possibility of someone from outside entering the hostel. CCTV footage should reveal more details,” he said.
Bheemili Inspector G Divakar said police and school authorities had counselled the students and were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Officials are examining the statements of the students and staff along with the CCTV footage as part of the investigation.
Show-cause notices issued
The incident has also led to administrative action by education authorities. Show-cause notices have been issued to four persons, including the principal, teachers who were on duty and the night watchwoman.
The notices seek explanations regarding the incident and the supervision arrangements at the hostel during the night.
Counselling has also been initiated for the affected students following the incident.
Responsibility yet to be established
Authorities are continuing to investigate all possible angles, including the possibility of an outsider entering the hostel and whether the hair could have been cut by another student.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident and responsibility for cutting the students’ hair have not yet been formally established.
The investigation is expected to focus on CCTV footage, statements from students and staff, and the hostel’s night-time security and supervision arrangements. Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns among students and parents about safety at the residential school.