Class 9 student dies after being struck by seniors in Assam’s Darrang district

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 23, 2024

In a shocking incident, a class IX student died after being struck by a senior at Padumpukhuri High School in Sipajhar town, Darrang district on Monday morning.

Seven individuals, including the headmistress of the school, have been taken in for interrogation by the police regarding the incident, although no arrests have been made yet. The accused student, currently in police custody, is expected to be sent to a juvenile justice home for correction.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the case to ensure appropriate actions are taken.

The deceased has been identified as Bhavesh Deka, a resident of Senapati Para village.

Reports indicate that a senior student called Bhavesh out of the classroom and engaged him in a physical altercation. Bhavesh, who suffered from epilepsy, was struck in the cheek and head, causing him to lose consciousness.

Upon discovering Bhavesh unconscious, school authorities informed his parents and called for an ambulance. He was initially taken to the primary health centre and later transferred to Mangaldai Civil Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.

Relatives and neighbors of Bhavesh have criticized the school authorities, stating that the incident could have been prevented if teachers had intervened during the altercation. “Just hours after he left for school, we received a call informing us of a fight between Bhavesh and a senior student,” they lamented. This has sparked outrage in the community, raising concerns about the school’s responsibility to ensure student safety and proper supervision.

The family and relatives of Bhavesh Deka are demanding justice, expressing their anguish over the incident. A relative stated, “We want justice. If the teachers had been alert, this would not have happened. We are worried for our children.”