KARIMNAGAR: A class V student at a private school in Huzurabad town of Karimnagar district died on Thursday after she was subjected to corporal punishment, sparking off massive protests by child rights activists.

Ten-year-old Kolipaka Ashrita , studying at Vivek Vardhini Model School, died due to severe muscle cramps and loss of blood circulation after she was made to kneel down for more than two hours by her mathematics teacher as punishment for not doing homework. The girl fainted and fell down in the classroom and was rushed to a private hospital.

Huzurabad police said Ashrita was asked to kneel down by her mathematics teacher on July 16 after she failed to do her home assignment. The girl’s blood circulation was affected as she had knelt down for a prolonged period. She was admitted to a private hospital in Huzurabad on July 17. As her condition did not improve, Ashrita’s father K Sammaiah and mother Rama admitted her to MGM Hospital in Warangal, which has better facilities.

Ashrita was discharged on Wednesday night after her blood circulation showed signs of improvement. But soon after returning home, she developed complications including frothing. She had to be rushed to MGM hospital once again on Thursday morning. She died while undergoing treatment.

The State Child Rights Commission issued notices to Karimnagar district collector and superintendent of police seeking a report from them by July 30 on the incident and the measures taken by the administration to check corporal punishment in schools.

Angry villagers and student union leaders attacked the school and damaged furniture. The girl's parents kept the body outside the school demanding that the police register a murder case against the teacher and the school management.

Balala Hakkula Sangham, a child rights body, has demanded de-recognition of the school and compensation to the girl's parents. “India is one of the 30 nations which have signed against corporal punishment in schools. Unfortunately, all corporal punishment cases including those involving the death of children are compromised upon. They rarely go to court for logical legal end,” said Sangham president Anuradha Rao.