Punished in school, 11-year-old dies

BHUBANESWAR - An 11-year-old boy died in Orissa after he was beaten up by his class teacher in school for failing to answer a question, the boy’s family alleged Monday.

Ajaya Kumar Jena was punished in George High School at Bargarh town, some 380 km from here, Jan 29 after he failed to answer a question asked by his class teacher, Jena’s uncle Krushna Chandra Barge told IANS.

After beating Jena, the teacher asked some students who had answered the question to also punish him.

The boy, who was studying in Class 6, complained of severe chest pain after he was beaten by the teacher and seven students. He was later admitted to a local hospital where he died Saturday while undergoing treatment.

The matter came to light after Jena’s uncle lodged a complaint at the city police station Sunday.

“We have registered a murder case against the teacher and are investigating the matter,” a senior district police officer said.

Scores of residents Monday staged a protest in the town demanding immediate arrest of the teacher. Police said the teacher Dambarudhar Rana was absconding.