16-year-old boy dies days after school gang fight in Kerala’s Kozhikode

A 16-year-old boy died in the early hours of Saturday, March 1, succumbing to injuries sustained in a clash between two student groups in Kozhikode, Kerala. The deceased, Mohammed Shahabas, was a class 10 student at MJ Higher Secondary School in Elettil. He was receiving medical treatment at Kozhikode Medical College for internal bleeding following the altercation.

The clash reportedly occurred on February 27 near a local tuition center between students from MJ Higher Secondary School and Government Higher Secondary School Thamarassery. Reports indicate that the fight stemmed from a dispute at a tuition center farewell party on February 23. A rift developed after music was stopped during a dance performance and some students were mocked.

Subsequently, a few students allegedly created a WhatsApp group, calling for others to gather at the junction where the clash took place. Teachers from the tuition center intervened to stop the fight.

After the clash, Shahabas was taken home by some students. His relatives stated that he had no visible injuries at the time. However, later that night, Shahabas vomited and fell unconscious. He was then taken to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and subsequently transferred to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

Following his hospitalisation, Thamarassery police booked four high school students on Friday, February 28, for their alleged involvement in the incident.

V Sivankutty, the Minister of Public Education, has directed the Director of General Education to conduct an inquiry into the matter.