The NCPCR Thursday also issued a notice to state officials and asked them to take action against the school authorities.

The panel said they had requested the Villupuram district collector to further investigate the matter.

According to Sandhya Bajaj, member at the commission, who sent the notice: 'It is a shocking incident. How could the school authorities allow such a practice. The children are voiceless and cannot even protest when the school wants them to do something like this.'

'This is not bravery but an act of cowardice. We need to condemn such acts and that's why we have issued a notice,' Bajaj told IANS.

'How could parents and teachers watch and remain silent about it? This is a gross violation of child rights,' she added.

The child rights panel said that the report should be sent to the commission about what action has been taken against the school headmaster and the authorities.