A tragic incident at a government school in Tiruvallur district has resulted in the death of a young student and sparked significant protests from the grieving family and local community. The family of the deceased Class VII boy finally received his body on Wednesday, but only after staging a prolonged demonstration to demand justice and financial support.
Details of the Tragic Accident
The unfortunate event occurred on Tuesday at Kondapuram Government High School. The victim, identified as Mohit, was having lunch with three other students. They were sitting on the school's compound wall when it suddenly collapsed. Mohit sustained fatal injuries in the accident. The other three students are reported to have survived.
Following the incident, Mohit's body was sent to the Tiruttani Government Hospital for a post-mortem examination. However, the situation took a tense turn on Wednesday when the boy's parents, along with other villagers, gathered outside the hospital. They refused to accept the body, demanding adequate compensation and a government job for a family member of the deceased.
Protests and Police Action
The protest led to a significant deployment of law enforcement. More than 50 police personnel were stationed at the hospital as a precautionary measure to maintain order. High-level officials, including Tiruttani Sub-Collector Kanimozhi and Deputy Superintendent of Police Kandhan, engaged in negotiations with the villagers. The talks lasted for nearly four hours in an effort to resolve the standoff.
In a significant development, the police have registered a case against three education department officials in connection with the incident. Those booked include Tiruvallur Chief Educational Officer Karpagam, District Educational Officer Amutha, and the school headmaster Thyagarajan. The school remained closed on Wednesday following the tragedy.
Compensation and Resolution
The protests culminated in the authorities meeting the family's key demands. Minister S M Nasar, accompanied by District Collector M Prathap, presented the family with a cheque for ₹5 lakh as compensation. An additional ₹5 lakh was provided by the ruling DMK party.
Furthermore, addressing the demand for employment, the government has provided a job to Mohit's father. The father, who worked as a daily wage labourer in Kondapuram village, has now been given a position in a government outsourced agency. After these assurances were provided, the family agreed to accept the body, bringing a temporary end to the tense situation.
This heartbreaking incident has raised serious questions about infrastructure safety in government schools and the protocols for ensuring student security on campus premises.
