Daijiworld Media Network - Tirunelveli
Tirunelveli, Sep 25: A shocking act of violence disrupted a government-aided higher secondary school near Valliyoor on Thursday, when a classroom argument between two Class 9 students escalated into a brutal machete attack.
Police reports reveal the incident stemmed from a verbal altercation between two teenage hostel residents the previous day. The conflict reportedly began when a 14-year-old student from Sankarankovil, belonging to a Scheduled Caste, allegedly made derogatory remarks about the father of another boy from an intermediate caste.
Though teachers and classmates managed to calm the situation on Wednesday, tensions resurfaced the following morning. In a disturbing turn, the boy from the intermediate caste arrived at school armed with a machete and launched a surprise attack, slashing his classmate across the back during class hours.
The victim sustained a deep wound and was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he received six stitches. School staff immediately alerted the Ervadi Police, who responded swiftly and took the accused student into custody for interrogation. The weapon used in the attack was confiscated.
The injured student, after receiving medical attention, was also brought to the police station for further inquiry, as part of the ongoing investigation.
The violent episode has alarmed the local community, sparking serious concerns among parents and educators about student safety, the accessibility of weapons, and the rise in aggressive behavior among youth.
Authorities are now probing how the attacker managed to bring a dangerous weapon onto campus and whether any adults had prior knowledge of his intentions. Police stated that counselling initiatives and enhanced preventive measures will be rolled out in schools to address underlying behavioral issues.
Once the inquiry is complete, a case is expected to be filed under the Juvenile Justice Act. Child welfare officials have also been involved to determine the appropriate legal and rehabilitative steps moving forward.
Investigations are continuing.