ITANAGAR, Jun 17: With the mudslides triggered by earth cutting reportedly wreaking havoc on Oju Mission School, Papunallah (Naharlagun) on Wednesday, a team of Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) led by its chairperson Gumri Ringu paid a visit to the school premises today to take stock of the situation.

The APSCPCR team that also comprised member secretary O Lomi and member Ngurang Achung met Ratan Anyia, chairperson Oju Welfare Society and the staffers of the school who reportedly witnessed the tragic incident.

The Ringu-led team took the ‘move’ after going through the snaps splashed on the social media in which the OMS is seen submerged above knee level. On inspection of the school, it was found to be uncongenial for the children as marshy & slippery mud is seen all over the buildings of the school. It is apparent from the scene that the water level had raised upto 1m in some parts of the building. The deposits of silt, mud and gravel are about 1 – 2 feet, everywhere in the school thereby covering the school compound. The school drainage and Septic tank have disappeared due to mud deposit.

On assessing the cause for such a catastrophic damage, it was found that the school wall was damaged due to landslides caused by earth cutting. On the western side of the school there is an excavation/earth cutting of numerous hills due to which the excavated mudslides have been falling on the stream lying on the western boundary of the school thereby raising the bed level of the stream due to which school wall, which was originally about 10-12 feet now stands at 4-5 feet.

The school staffers stated that the muddy water overflowed the wall and entered the school premises. The staff quarters, toilets, bathroom and the well of the school were damaged. There is a small concrete bridge and underneath, the bed level of the stream was drastically raised by concrete floor.

A deeply anguished OWS chairperson said that the school is mainly for the orphans, abandoned children and all victims of child abuse. She informed that there has been huge loss to the school property and it would take months to clean the school building and to clear off the huge mud deposit. She also said that it would not be possible to run the school at this juncture after the lockdown.

The APSCPCR chairperson informed that she has urged the District Administration to assess the extent of damage.