A nine-year-old boy was allegedly beaten by a teacher at a madrasa in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district before fleeing the institution and being found wandering alone nearly 30 kilometres away. The child, who is the son of a shepherd and a student at the madrasa, was spotted by locals with visible injury marks, following which the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) was alerted.

The CWC rescued the child and arranged medical assistance and counselling after he was found. Officials said legal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident. The child reportedly told authorities that physical punishment was allegedly a regular occurrence at the madrasa and claimed that other children had also been beaten for various reasons.

According to officials, the boy’s account will form part of the investigation into the alleged abuse. The police have been asked to register a case against the accused teacher and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are also expected to examine the madrasa’s administration and determine whether there were any previous complaints or indications of mistreatment involving students.

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Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar said the child would be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board after his medical examination. “After the medical examination, we will produce the child before the Juvenile Justice Board. An FIR will be registered against the accused and stringent action will be taken,” Kumar said.

The incident has drawn condemnation from child rights activists, who have called for strict action against those responsible. They stressed that educational institutions and places where children receive instruction must provide a safe environment and should not expose students to physical abuse or violence.

Officials said action would be taken under applicable child protection laws against those found responsible. The investigation will establish the circumstances of the alleged assault, while authorities will also assess the child’s welfare and protection needs as legal proceedings move forward.

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