Amid a sharp rise in dog bite incidents across Assam, the Gauhati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has directed all schools in Guwahati to ensure that their premises are free of stray dogs, citing serious safety concerns for students and staff.
In an official communication issued recently, the civic body instructed government, provincialised and private schools to take immediate steps to prevent the entry of stray dogs into school campuses. The directive follows growing reports of dog bite cases, particularly involving children, which have triggered alarm among parents and education authorities.
According to the GMC, schools have been asked to repair or strengthen boundary walls, install proper gates and improve overall campus security to restrict access by stray animals. Institutions have also been advised to appoint a nodal officer to coordinate with municipal authorities and to form internal monitoring committees comprising teachers and parents to regularly assess vulnerabilities within school premises.
The corporation has further directed schools to submit compliance reports detailing the measures taken. Officials warned that failure to adhere to the instructions could invite action under existing municipal regulations.
Health department data indicate a steep rise in dog bite cases in Assam over the past year, putting additional pressure on healthcare facilities and raising concerns over rabies prevention. Civic authorities say the situation calls for urgent preventive action, especially in sensitive public spaces such as schools.
The GMC’s move aligns with recent directions from the Supreme Court, which asked local authorities across the country to keep institutional areas—including schools, hospitals, bus stands and railway stations—free of stray dogs and to shift them to designated shelters in a humane manner.
Parents’ groups in Guwahati have welcomed the directive, urging swift implementation to ensure the safety of children. Meanwhile, officials said the municipal corporation is continuing animal birth control and vaccination drives, while exploring ways to strengthen shelter infrastructure for long-term management of the stray dog population.
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