KOZHIKODE: 'They had decided to kill my child..." Iqbal, the father of Muhammad Shahbaz (15), who is in critical condition after sustaining a head injury in the clash between students in Thamarassery, is in a state of shock. Shahbaz is in the ICU with internal bleeding on his head.

The 10th grader is in this condition with only three days left for the SSLC exam. Muhammed Shahabas is a student of Elettil Vattoli MJ Higher Secondary School. The fight with the students of Elettil Vattoli MJ Higher Secondary School was related to an event at a private tuition centre.

"My son has never been involved in any trouble till now. It was his best friend who picked him up from home on Thursday evening. After returning, he went to his room without telling anyone. We didn't know then that he had come back tolerating so much pain. They must have intended to kill him. He is not a student of that tuition class. We don't know what the reason was for showing such cruelty," Iqbal said with tears filling his eyes.

After Muhammad Shahbaz started vomiting and had other health problems on Thursday night, he was first taken to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and later to the Medical College. The father said he learned that the child had been beaten up by adults also when he investigated the scene.

Howling during dance; split into teams to attack

A sent-off for 10th graders' was held at the tuition centre last Sunday. The students of Thamarassery School howled when the song stopped while the students of Elettil School were dancing. That's when the conflict broke out. After the children clashed, the teachers intervened and stopped the program. The students were asked to disperse. However, on Thursday evening, the children, who had gathered in a group near the bus stand, split into groups and attacked.