Kozhikode: The police on Saturday charged five students with attempt to murder following the death of a 10th-grade student in a violent clash in Thamarassery. Their parents have been instructed to produce them before the Juvenile Justice Board.

According to police sources, Mohammad Shahbaz (15), a Class 10 student of MJ Higher Secondary School, was severely beaten by students using a nunchak. The clash occurred near a tea stall on Thamarassery-Vezhupur Road at around 6:30 pm and was reportedly a continuation of tensions that had started during a farewell event days earlier. Shahbaz, the son of Iqbal and Ramsina from Chungam, Thamarassery, succumbed to his injuries at 1 am on Saturday while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College.

Evidence from social media

WhatsApp and Instagram messages between the students involved have surfaced as evidence. Police sources indicate that the altercation initially began as a verbal dispute on social media after an argument at the send-off event. The situation escalated into a physical confrontation on Thursday evening, involving students from MJHSS and Thamarassery GVHSS who attended the same tuition centre.

Medical findings

According to doctors, Shahbaz suffered serious injuries to his ears, eyes, and head. Though there were no visible external injuries, internal injuries are believed to have caused his death. The inquest proceedings have been completed, and post-mortem proceedings will begin shortly.

Departmental inquiry ordered

Education Minister V. Sivankutty has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident. In a social media post, he stated that the Kozhikode Deputy Director of Education conducted an initial investigation and submitted a preliminary report. The Director of General Education has now been appointed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter.