Begusarai: A class 8 student has died after a stack of metal window grilles collapsed inside a government school classroom in Bihar’s Begusarai district, prompting protests by residents and the suspension of the headteacher.
The boy, identified as Munna Kumar, the son of Bhulo Yadav, was killed on Wednesday at the Government Middle School in Jahanpur village, in the Bachhwara block. According to family members, he had arrived at school around 8am and was playing during the lunch break when several heavy metal grilles fell on him.
Relatives and local residents said at least six grilles, weighing an estimated 300kg in total, toppled in quick succession, crushing the child’s head. He was rushed to the Bachhwara primary health centre, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The incident triggered anger in the village, with residents blocking the Mansurchak–Bachhwara road while placing the boy’s body on the carriageway. Senior officials, including the sub-divisional magistrate and police officers, were deployed to the scene to calm the crowd.
Krishna Kumar, deputy superintendent of police in Teghra, said officers were attempting to restore order while initiating an inquiry. “We have received information about the incident and reached the spot. The body is being sent for postmortem. Statements are being recorded from family members and the school authorities. Further action will follow,” he said.
Questions have been raised over the storage of construction materials inside classrooms. Villagers alleged that a library building was under construction on the school premises and that the contractor had placed metal grilles and other equipment in a room used for teaching.
“It was these grilles that fell on the child,” a local resident said, accusing the school authorities of negligence.
Tensions escalated further when a group of residents allegedly assaulted the acting headteacher, Amit Kumar, and a construction worker, briefly detaining them before police intervened and escorted them to safety.
Rakesh Kumar, the sub-divisional magistrate of Teghra, said preliminary findings pointed to lapses in safety. “A metal grille had been kept inside the classroom and it fell, causing fatal head injuries. Prima facie, negligence is evident,” he said.
The district education officer has suspended the headteacher pending investigation. Officials said a forensic team had been called to examine the site and that a detailed inquiry was under way.
The death has intensified concerns about infrastructure safety in government schools, particularly where construction work is carried out alongside regular classes.
