Investigation Launched into Tragic Death of Student in Cachar School

Investigation into Student's Death

Silchar, May 9: Authorities have commenced a thorough investigation into the tragic death of a five-year-old student within a private school classroom located in Katigorah, Cachar district. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety and supervision of students in educational settings.

Aayush Garg, the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, has instructed the inspector of schools to look into the matter. The relevant circle officer has already visited the school to assess the situation surrounding this unfortunate event. Mithun Johri, the Inspector of Schools, confirmed that a preliminary report has been submitted and a comprehensive inquiry is currently in progress.

The child, identified as Sakib Alom from Gangapur, was enrolled at Holy Flower Senior Secondary School in Katigorah. Reports indicate that the incident took place during the tiffin break on Thursday when the child collapsed while consuming food brought from home inside the classroom.

Footage from CCTV, which has since circulated on social media, allegedly shows another student trying to alert a teacher present in the classroom at that time. However, the teacher appeared to be preoccupied with other matters. The child was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This incident has led to emotional reactions in the community and has sparked criticism on social media regarding the apparent lack of supervision and emergency response protocols within the school. Concerns have also been raised about the safety measures in place for managing medical emergencies involving young students.

In light of the growing accusations of negligence, the school administration acknowledged to the media that there may have been some degree of oversight in managing the situation.

Additionally, the management noted that parents had previously been advised against sending packaged food items, such as chips and other processed snacks, in their children's tiffin boxes.

Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, the newly elected MLA for Katigorah, expressed his sorrow over the incident and called for accountability. He stated, “When parents send their children to school, the responsibility for their safety lies with the school authorities. An in-depth investigation is necessary, and those found responsible should face legal consequences.”

The legislator further mentioned that he plans to address this issue in the Assembly after the new government is formed, advocating for stricter safety regulations for schools, especially private ones, to prevent similar incidents in the future. He also expressed his intention to meet with the grieving family and visit the school upon his return from Guwahati.