Kerala government acts after schoolboy's electrocution triggers statewide protests

NEW DELHI: The Kerala government on Friday initiated action against those allegedly responsible for the tragic electrocution of a 13-year-old student at his school in Kollam district, by suspending the headmistress of the institution. The management of the aided high school at Thevalakkara took action against headmistress S Suja, just hours after General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced immediate measures against those accountable for the alleged lapses.

Earlier in the day, the government also issued a show-cause notice to the school management after receiving a detailed report from the Director General of Education. Mithun, a student at Thevalakkara Boys High School, died after coming into contact with a live electric wire on the school premises. Sivankutty, along with State Finance Minister K N Balagopal, visited the school and the student’s home and announced that Mithun's family would be provided with a house as soon as possible, and that financial assistance would also be given.

Sivankutty said that three investigations are currently underway regarding the incident. The Education Department's report has been received. The Electricity Department's report is still awaited, and the police investigation report is pending as well, the minister added. "The government stands with the child. He is our son. Action will be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future. Mithun’s death is a great loss. Such situations must not be repeated. An explanation has been sought from the school management too," the minister said.

Protests erupt over student death

Meanwhile, massive protests erupted across the state following Mithun's death, with allegations raised against various government departments in connection with the incident. Several opposition student organisations staged protests in front of Thevalakkara school and the office of the Electricity Minister in Palakkad district. BJP workers marched to the office of Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty in Palakkad. Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters as they tried to break through barricades. Scuffles broke out between demonstrators and the police.

Protests led by the Kerala Students Union (KSU), Revolutionary Youth Front (RYF), and Yuva Morcha at the Thevalakkara school also turned tense. The police forcefully removed and arrested the protesters. Earlier in the day, Sivankutty said that support for Mithun’s family would include Rs 3 lakh in emergency aid, the construction of a new house through the Scouts and Guides, and free education up to Class 12 for his younger sibling. He noted that a government circular issued in May had already warned schools to identify and report electrical hazards before reopening.

Minister expresses regret for remarks

"The circular was clear. There can be no excuse," he added. In a related development, State Animal Husbandry Minister J Chinchu Rani expressed regret over her controversial remarks regarding Mithun's death. Visiting the boy’s family to offer condolences, the minister admitted that she had made a mistake. Her retraction followed strong criticism from within her own party over her inappropriate comments.

Opposition alleged that despite being aware of the student’s death by electrocution in her own district, Chinchu Rani was seen attending a women's meeting as part of the CPI district conference in Thrippunithura on Thursday, where she performed a Zumba dance. At the same event, the minister made remarks that appeared to downplay Mithun’s death, stating that teachers could not be blamed. Her statements triggered widespread criticism from leaders across the political spectrum, both from the ruling front and the opposition.