A shadow of grief and administrative scrutiny has fallen over Assam’s Tinsukia district following the death of a 14-year-old student, Utpal Taye, who allegedly succumbed to injuries inflicted by his teacher. The student, a Class VIII resident of Sankardev Shishu Niketan in Philobari, passed away late Friday night while undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.
The incident, which occurred on February 5, has sparked massive public outrage, leading to the arrest of the accused teacher, Sanjib Sharma, and raising grave concerns regarding the safety of children within educational institutions.
According to police and local sources, the alleged assault took place during school hours over a seemingly minor issue. Utpal, who had been studying at the residential school since Class I, was reportedly subjected to severe physical punishment by Sharma.
Following the assault, Utpal’s health condition deteriorated rapidly. While the school management moved him to AMCH for advanced care, his injuries proved fatal. He was the son of Ganesh Taye, a resident of Kopahtoli village in the Amguri area of Sivasagar.
News of the minor’s death triggered spontaneous protests on Saturday. Angry residents and members of student bodies, including the Takarn Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), gathered at Philobari Tiniali, burning tires and demanding “justice for Utpal.”
- Allegations of Cover-up: Protesters have accused the school administration of attempting to suppress the incident and failing to inform the parents immediately.
- Police Action: Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mayank Kumar confirmed that a case has been registered and Sanjib Sharma has been taken into custody. “A detailed investigation has been launched to establish the exact sequence of events,” the SSP stated.
The TMPK Tinsukia District Committee has issued a scathing condemnation, labeling the act a “serious violation of child rights.” The organization emphasized that schools must remain safe havens and called for a time-bound investigation into not just the teacher, but the potential negligence of the school management.