CM orders probe into death of class 12 student following humiliation by teacher

Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday directed the Education Department to investigate the death of a meritorious class 12 student who allegedly consumed pesticide after being "humiliated" by a teacher, a statement said.

The incident, which happened in Sonapur in South Tripura district, triggered outrage in the state.

Following the direction of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, the Director of Secondary Education has constituted a committee to enquire into the alleged suicide of a student, Trisha Majumder, of Sonarpur Class XII School, Barpathari, Belonia.

The committee comprises Lisa Bardhan, Joint Director of Elementary Education; Kajal Kumar Bhowmik, OSD at the Directorate of Secondary Education; and Sudip Sarkar, OSD at the office of the District Education Officer, West.

“Prima facie reports suggest that the student may have taken the extreme step following scolding by a teacher at the school,” said the order issued by the Directorate of Secondary Education.

The committee will carry out a thorough investigation into all aspects of the incident and will submit its report by Wednesday, said Director of Secondary Education, NC Sharma.

The first girl in her class, the victim was allegedly humiliated by a teacher over the evaluation of her Biology paper. She died at the GBP Hospital in Agartala on July 27.

Senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman had given financial assistance to the girl's family for conducting her last rites, as they are very poor.