Dibrugarh, Feb 7: A school teacher has been arrested after a 14-year-old student allegedly died from injuries sustained during a beating at a private school in Assam’s Tinsukia district, triggering widespread protests and public outrage.
Utpal Taye, a Class 8 student of Sankardev Sishu Niketan in Philobari, was allegedly assaulted by teacher Sanjeev Sharma during school hours on February 5 over what sources described as a minor issue. The student reportedly sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh.
Despite medical treatment, Utpal succumbed to his injuries late Friday night.
News of the teenager’s death sparked massive protests on Saturday morning, with angry residents and parents gathering outside the school premises.
Demonstrators burnt tyres, blocked roads at Philobari Tiniali, and raised slogans demanding stringent action against the accused teacher and accountability from the school authorities.
Several local organisations joined the agitation, calling for a high-level inquiry into the incident.
Protesters also levelled serious allegations against the school management, accusing them of attempting to suppress the matter and delaying proper disclosure of the incident to the family.
“This is not discipline — this is murder. How can a teacher beat a child so brutally? The school tried to handle it quietly instead of informing everyone immediately,” said one protesting parent.
Utpal, son of Ganesh Taye of Kopahtoli village in Sivasagar district’s Amguri area, had been studying at the school since Class 1 and was residing in the hostel.
Tinsukia Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mayank Kumar confirmed that a case has been registered and the accused teacher has been arrested.
“We have arrested the teacher and launched a detailed investigation. All aspects of the case are being examined,” the SSP said.
The incident has reignited concerns over corporal punishment in schools and child safety within residential institutions, with civil society groups demanding stricter enforcement of child protection laws.
Further investigation is underway.
