FAISALABAD: A grade 10 student was arrested on Friday for killing another student during a scuffle over placing a book on the desk at a government school.
Witnesses said Faisal Iqbal, a resident of Thatha Bakha, and Khuda Yar of village 610 GB – both grade 10 students – had an argument over placing a book on the desk they shared at the Government High School Garh Fateh Shah.
They said Khuda Yar’s cousin, Mazhar Sarwar, tried to intervene but Iqbal pushed him to the ground and hit him with a bench.
Sarwar fell unconscious and was taken to a hospital where he died.
Nadim Ahmad, a fellow student, said the teacher was not in the classroom when the fight broke out.
“They had an argument and the noise attracted students from other classes too. Some of them informed their teachers about the fight but they did not nothing.”
Ahmad said some students rushed to the headmaster when Iqbal hit Sarwar with the bench. “He too did not take any action,” he said.
Shafiq Ahmad, another student, said this was not the first time that Iqbal and Khuda Yar had a fight. “They had quarrelled earlier too over who would sit where. “The faculty, including the class teacher, knew about that.”
Garh Station House Officer (SHO) Sanaullah told The Express Tribune Iqbal had been arrested.
“We are gathering evidence and recording statements of witnesses,” he said.
A spokesman for the education executive district officer said the department had ordered an inquiry.
He said appropriate action would be taken against the school administration if it was established that they could have prevented the incident.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2014.