Assam Shocker: 13-Year-Old Student Dies After Alleged Beating by Teacher in Tinsukia

Guwahati: A tragic incident in Phillobari of Assam’s Tinsukia district has sparked widespread anger and concern after a young student died, allegedly due to corporal punishment inflicted by a school teacher.

Utpal Taye, a 13-year-old Class VIII pupil of Sankardev Sishu Niketan in Phillobari, passed away late Friday night at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh. He had been receiving medical care since Thursday following the assault. 

Local police and family members allege that Utpal was beaten by a teacher on school premises, leading to severe injuries. The exact circumstances of the incident are under investigation.

Phillobari police have arrested the accused teacher, identified as Sanjeeb (or Sanjib) Sharma, and have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The teacher has been sent to judicial custody. Authorities are also questioning the school principal as part of the probe.

The Tinsukia District Committee of the Takam Mising Porin Kébang (TMPK) and other local groups have demanded a comprehensive and transparent inquiry, calling for strict action against all responsible individuals. 

The incident has ignited public outrage in Phillobari and surrounding areas. Residents staged protests, burned tyres, and urged authorities to ensure justice for the young student. Many community members criticised the use of physical punishment in schools and highlighted deep concerns about student safety.

Utpal’s parents, visibly devastated, described him as a bright child with aspirations to become a scientist. His mother was reported to have fainted repeatedly in grief, while relatives said the family is struggling to come to terms with the loss. His younger sister survives Utpal. 

Child rightsactivists and legal experts have pointed to existing laws against corporal punishment in schools, including provisions under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and Supreme Court directives that prohibit physical and mental abuse of students. They say the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of child protection policies in educational institutions.

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