Student’s death: police fire water canons on protesting KSU activists

Police use water cannons to disperse Kerala Students Union activists demanding justice for student suicide, alleging police inaction.

The police fired water cannon to disperse activists of the Kerala Students Union after they staged a march to the office of the District Police Chief (Kochi City) on Tuesday (February 4) demanding justice for the 14-year-old boy, who reportedly died by suicide on January 15 following alleged ragging by his classmates at a school affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education here.

The march was stopped by the police near the Kochi Corporation office. The water cannon was fired as the activists tried to jump over the barricade. They shouted slogans accusing the police of going slow in the investigation into the death of the student.

They alleged that the police were trying to shield the accused. The KSU members also blamed the Home Department for not permitting the police to carry out a fair investigation. The protesters were later removed from the site.

(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA - 1056, 0471-2552056, State’s health helpline 104, Maithri - 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre - 0495-2760000.)