Charge sheet filed against teachers in connection with river drowning tragedy during scout camp

NILAMBUR: A charge sheet has been filed against three teachers and a forest officer in connection with the drowning of two girls in the river during the scout and guides camp at Karulayi Nedungayam last February. According to the chargesheet filed by the police yesterday in court, the case was filed on the grounds that the teachers had responsibility for the safety of the children, which they allegedly failed to fulfill. The case against the forest officer is for not informing about the dangerous situation.

On February 9, 49 people including 33 girls reached Nedunkayam at 4 pm as part of the nature study camp of Scouts and Guides. Fatima Muhsina, a 6th-grade student of Tirur Kalpakanchery Kallingalparam MSM School and Ayesha Rida, a 9th-grade student drowned while bathing in the river.

The forest department had put up a sign at the entrance to the river stating that swimming is prohibited. However, the children entered the water without safety gear and wearing thick clothes. According to the chargesheet, the teachers ignored all these warnings. The charge against the forest officer is that he allowed the children to descend in an area where many people lost their lives and did not warn them of the danger.