Ahmedabad: A school in Khokhra turned into a scene of chaos on Wednesday after a Class 9 student stabbed a Class 10 student to death, sparking violent protests on the campus.
Enraged parents and locals stormed the premises, smashing glass panels, damaging furniture, and assaulting the principal and teachers. Gujarat Education Minister Praful Pansheriya confirmed that the minor accused has been detained, calling the murder “an unfortunate incident and a red signal for a civilised society.” He appealed for calm as police began their probe.
The unrest quickly spiraled out of control, with police facing resistance from the angry crowd. A police vehicle was nearly overturned, forcing officers to use force to disperse the mob. Senior officers rushed to the spot, and additional forces were deployed to prevent further flare-ups amid rising communal tensions.
Police initially booked the case as an attempt to murder, later upgrading it to murder after the victim’s death. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and recording witness statements. They said the clash was personal and unrelated to wider issues.
According to parents, the feud began last week when the victim’s cousin and the accused clashed on campus. Many alleged the accused had a record of violent behaviour and claimed the school ignored earlier warnings. Parents also complained that no staff helped the injured student, who was rushed to hospital in an autorickshaw.
The district education officer has now issued a notice to the school, demanding a detailed report and CCTV footage of the incident.