Boy who set himself on fire dies

* Balala Hakkula Sangham to move SHRC against school * School denies ill-treating boy

Hyderabad: An 11-year-old boy, who set himself on fire after dousing with kerosene for allegedly being chided by the headmaster of his school on Friday, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at Osmania General Hospital on Saturday. Parents staged dharna in front of Raghavendra Model School in NBT Nagar of Banjara Hills where Bhukya Swami, a Class VI student, was studying, demanding action against management and compensation. According to Banjara Hills police and local residents, Swami resorted to self- immolation during lunch break when his father Srinvas and mother Narsi were away from home. Swami belonged to Warangal and his parents have been residing in the City for the last ten years.

His mother who was working at a nearby place rushed back home on hearing her son screaming and doused the flames. But by that time the boy sustained around 70 percent of burns and was rushed to Osmania General Hospital for treatment. However, after battling for life for over 12 hours, he succumbed to injuries. The boy's father Srinivas is working as a car driver in a private company. The boy's parents alleged that their son had taken such an extreme step as the school principal scolded him and punished him severely for making noise in the classroom.

He was subjected to sort of corporal punishment by the school's management, they alleged. They also lodged a complaint with the police. When contacted, Omkar, principal's brother, refuted the allegations. He maintained that his brother never hurt the boy. "We have been offering education for many students for several years. We don't punish students for simple reasons. My brother did not punish Swami," he stated. However, on humanitarian grounds, we have paid some money for the final rites of the boy, he added.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (APBHS) demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased from the school's management. Similarly, the APBHS sought high level inquiry into the case and cancellation of recognition of the school apart from slapping a criminal case against the management. We will move State Human Rights Commission on the issue, APBHS president Achyuta Rao said. The police registered a case under Section 174 of Criminal Procedure Court. Investigation has been taken up.