GUWAHATI: A four-year-old student allegedly died after falling unconscious during school hours at a private school in Assam’s Cachar district on Thursday, May 7, triggering widespread outrage among parents and local residents over alleged negligence by the institution.
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The incident took place at Holy Flowers High School in the Katigorah area. The deceased child, identified as Sakib Alam, was a KG-1 student and the only son of Haris Uddin, a resident of Ganganagar.
According to reports, Sakib suddenly fell ill and collapsed inside his classroom during the tiffin break while other students were having their meals. He was later taken to Katigorah Model Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Tension escalated after CCTV footage from the classroom reportedly surfaced online. Family members and local residents alleged that teachers present at the time failed to respond promptly to the child’s condition.
According to the allegations, the footage shows Sakib lying beneath a classroom bench for several minutes without receiving immediate assistance, even as some students reportedly attempted to alert the teachers.
The incident sparked protests on the school premises, with angry parents and local residents demanding accountability from the school authorities. Protesters raised serious concerns over student safety, supervision during school hours, and the institution’s emergency response system.
Speaking to reporters, school principal Chumki Das admitted that the school administration bore “partial responsibility” for the incident. However, she also referred to the school’s strict policy against junk food on campus, claiming that parents had recently been informed about the rule during a meeting. Reports suggest that some students were seen carrying fast food items, although the exact cause of Sakib’s death has not yet been confirmed.
Locals and members of the bereaved family have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, including a detailed examination of the CCTV footage, and called for strict action against those found responsible for any lapse in duty.