Caste slur against 11-year-old; boy pushed into fire sustains severe burns, attack by upper caste students

CHENNAI: Three minors were arrested for hurling caste slur at an 11-year-old boy and pushing him into fire. The police have registered case against the minors under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The incident took place on last Monday.

The victim has been identified as a Class VI student at Kattuchiviri Government School in Tindivanam town in Viluppuram district. The arrested are also students of the same school.

On Monday evening, the 11-year-old boy had left his home, by around 4:30 pm, to visit his grandmother. However, his parents were shocked to see him return with burns on his back, chest and shoulders. On being asked, the boy said that he had slipped and fell into a bush which was on fire.

The boy was soon rushed to Tindivanam Government Hospital and was given emergency treatment. Following which, he revealed the truth after hours of coaxing. He said that upper caste students at his school had been bullying him and hurling caste slurs against him. That day, on seeing him walking alone, the boys abused him and pushed him into a bush fire. Soon, his shirt got fire and he jumped into a nearby water tank to save himself.

The police have registered a case on the complaint lodged by the boy’s father. Investigation is on progress in the incident, said the police.