‘Lashkar-e-Taiba, Houthis...’: Kerala student scribbles names of terror groups, draws weapons in exam paper; probe on

Kannur, Kerala: Kerala Police and the Intelligence agencies launched a probe after a ninth-grade student allegedly wrote the names of international terrorist organisations and sketched weapons in a social science question paper booklet.

The incident came to light during a recent midterm examination at a government school in Kannur district. The student had written the names of terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hamas, and Houthis, alongside illustrations of guns, bullets, and swords. The names were written carefully in both small and large letters across the first page of the answer booklet.

Teachers noted that the student began scribbling in the question paper booklet during the first 15 minutes of the exam, while other students were reading the questions. Despite instructions to read carefully and answer the questions properly, the student continued writing unrelated content.

The teacher first noticed the writings and drawings while collecting the answer sheets. The matter was then discussed with the headmaster and other staff members, after which the student’s parents were called. The police were subsequently informed to investigate the incident.