Parvathipuram Manyam, April 11:
Tribal rights organizations have voiced serious concern and outrage over disturbing developments at the Tribal Welfare Girls’ Ashram School located in Regidi village, Gummalakshmipuram mandal of Parvathipuram Manyam district. The controversy stems from allegations that male teachers escorted tribal girl students to private clinics and RMP (Registered Medical Practitioner) doctors under the pretext of providing medical treatment.
In response to these allegations, leaders of several tribal and student organizations — including the Tribal Welfare Association, Tribal Students’ Association, Tribal Development Association, Tribal Rights Forum, Adivasi Teachers Association, All India Students Federation (AISF), and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) — have come together to demand a comprehensive investigation. The groups jointly submitted memoranda to District Collector Shyam Prasad and ITDA Project Officer Asutosh Srivastava on Friday.
Speaking to the media, representatives of the associations — Palaka Ranjith Kumar, Palla Saresh, Muvvala Amarnad, Arika Chandra Shekhar, Huggappala Ramakrishna, Chelluru Seetharam, Kolaka Gouramma, B. Ravikumar, and B.T. Naidu — condemned the incident and raised serious questions about the systemic issues in girls’ tribal schools. They argued that appointing male teachers in all-girls institutions, especially in remote tribal areas, has led to recurring issues of safety and trust.
The leaders questioned the rationale behind allowing male staff to take girl students for medical attention when female teachers and a deputy matron were available on campus. “If something happens to the students’ health or safety, who will be held accountable?” they asked, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.
They also expressed frustration that despite several days having passed since the incident came to light, no visible action has been taken. The organizations insisted that any inquiry must be conducted exclusively by female officers, and that the male teachers involved in the allegations should be removed from the school premises during the investigation to ensure fairness and to encourage victims to speak freely.
Moreover, the tribal associations demanded that the inquiry also look into whether the parents or guardians of the students were informed before they were taken off campus for medical visits — a matter that directly relates to parental trust and student welfare.
Responding to the uproar, District Collector Shyam Prasad and ITDA PO Asutosh Srivastava assured the delegations that a three-member inquiry committee comprising women officers would be constituted immediately. They also promised strict action against anyone found guilty of misconduct.
As the investigation is set to unfold, tribal communities across the region are watching closely, hoping for a transparent probe and systemic reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of their children.
