TURA, Sep 22: Principal of Loyola School in Williamnagar, Father Melwyn Fernandes, has been placed under suspension by the Education Council of Jesuit Society of North East on Wednesday, a statement by the missionaries group said.
The move to suspend the principal comes in the wake of a 14-year-old Class IX student of the school losing his life after a timber log he was carrying fell on him.
The statement of the Jesuit Society reads: “The Education Council of Jesuit Society of Northeast India having learnt about the sudden and shocking death of Master Cherian Bimik M Sangma of Loyola School, Dawagre, East Garo Hills, has initiated an immediate enquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of the student. In the meantime, the Council has suspended Principal, Fr Melwyn Fernandes, indefinitely. The untimely death of the young Cherian is heart-rending and the pain of his parents and relatives is unfathomable.The Council sincerely regrets the loss of life and is committed to the cause of truth and justice. Through this press release, the Council wishes to communicate to the parents their heartfelt condolences at the loss of their dear son”.
Meanwhile, citizens of Williamnagar came together on Wednesday evening to participate in a special candlelight procession in memory of the 14-year-old, Cherian Bimik M Sangma, who tragically lost his life in an accident inside his school on Tuesday.
The Class IX student of Loyola School, Dawagre in Williamnagar was, on the directions of the school principal, helping his classmates to remove logs of timber from a playground when the accident occurred.
While attempting to throw a large piece of timber, the boys lost coordination resulting in the log falling on him.
The shocking tragedy has enraged many people who questioned the school authorities for allowing students to do such a dangerous piece of work.
Though the body of Cherian was taken back for burial to his native home town in Rongjeng, people of Williamnagar came out to demand justice and show their support for the family.
Carrying a large banner with Cherian’s picture on it, hundreds of students from different schools and colleges of Williamnagar came together with candles that were lit up as they silently walked through the streets before assembling on the road outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in town to place their candles. Prayers were also offered in memory of the young boy whose life was taken away before his time.
Members of several social and student organizations from Williamnagar, including GSU East Zone participated in the candle light service.
ADE condemns incident, offers condolences
On the other hand, the Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) from Tura on Wednesday offered its deepest condolences to the family of late Cherian M Sangma while at the same time condemning the school authorities for engaging students in menial labour which led to the teenager’s death.
The association also issued a stern warning to all such institutions who engage students in menial labour that it would be forced to take necessary steps against them if they do not stop.
