KISHTWAR–CHATROO: AN OMINOUS CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE.
By Ikhlaq Ahmed There are tragedies that leave behind grief. And then there are tragedies that force an entire society to look into the mirror. The Chatroo incident in Kishtwar is a shocking one.The death of a minor schoolgirl following allegations of prolonged sexual abuse and an alleged attempt to conceal the crime has shaken Jammu and Kashmir. Police have arrested the accused teacher and other individuals, while protests have erupted in Chatroo, Kishtwar and neighbouring areas demanding justice. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations must ultimately be established through due process and the courts.But beyond the criminal investigation lies another uncomfortable question. How did a child remain trapped in such circumstances for so long without the system around her being able to protect her? That is where the tragedy becomes bigger than one accused person.When a School Stops Being a Safe PlaceA school is supposed to be one of the safest spaces ...