Violent Protests Stir Over Kallakurichi Class 12 Girl's Death; Madras HC Orders Repeat Autopsy

Violence broke out on Sunday in Kallakurichi as protesters demanding justice over the death of a girl student went on a rampage setting fire to vehicles and indulging in stone pelting. Police opened fire in the air at least twice to restrain the violent mobs. Protesters entered the premises of ECR Sakthi International school where the girl reportedly died by suicide and vandalised the property.

The Class 12 student studying in Kaniyamoor Sakthi Matriculation School at Karimanoor of Chinnasalem was found dead at the hostel premises on the morning of July 13.  A hostel staff member found the body of the girl, an inmate of the hostel, on the ground floor. The police said a suicide note was found in which the girl had accused two of her teachers of humiliating her in front of classmates for not concentrating on her studies and that she was depressed over this.

The girl appeared to have died due to haemorrhage and shock due to multiple injuries according to the autopsy report. "A final opinion is reserved pending report of Chemical Analysis of Viscera," read a statement from the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital.

However, days after the family's complaint of foul play involved in their daughter's demise, no arrests were made by the police. Adding to this was a massive social media campaign seeking justice for the student. Today, July 17, around 3,000 people gathered at Chinnasalem unexpectedly. What had remained a peaceful protest until then, turned violent suddenly. Meanwhile, the police have arrested the school’s chairman, secretary, principal and two teachers in connection with the incident.

A separate case has been registered regarding the Kallakurichi protests and around 128 protesters were arrested by the police.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin urged the protesters to maintain peace and assured of severe punishment for those responsible for the death of the student. In a series of tweets, he wrote, “Violence worries me. The accused will be punished when the police probe over the school girl's death ends. I have asked the DGP and the Home Secretary to travel to Kallakurichi. I request people to maintain peace."

The school education department of the state has ordered Kallakurichi’s chief education officer to submit a detailed report on the incident.

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