Williamnagar, Sept 23: Controversy over the death of a teenage student in Loyola school of Williamnagar has reached a point where the Principal has been arrested and sent to jail.

The Principal of Loyola School, Williamnagar, Father Melwyn Fernandes, SJ, was forced to take refuge inside the police station on Tuesday night after angry protests took place over the death of 14-year-old Cherian Bimik M Sangma, a class IX student. He was arrested on Wednesday evening after an FIR was filed against him by the mother and father of Late Cherian at Rongjeng police station.

According to Williamnagar police, Father Melwyn Fernandes was arrested and then sent to Judicial Custody in Williamnagar District Jail. But, because it was a bailable case, the District Court granted him bail on the same evening.

As per the Court orders, the accused Principal cannot abscond from the case. He also cannot leave Williamnagar town without getting permission from the Court. He will also have to make himself present in Court during hearings, the orders of the bail mention.

Father Melwyn Fernandes has told Hub News that he is very much present in Williamnagar and will abide by the Court directions.

Cherian laid to rest

Late Cherian Bimik M Sangma was on Wednesday buried in Rongjeng, his home town, in a very sad and solemn event that was attended by thousands of wellwishers, family and friends, including Loyola School students and teachers.

The tragic accident of Cherian

According to the school authorities, it happened around 10.30 am on Tuesday (21 September 2021) when some of the class IX students were requested to roll a few logs of timber that were in a plot of land that was about to be levelled.

Also read: Teen school boy crushed under log in Williamnagar

In the process of shifting the logs, a group of boys decided to carry a log instead of rolling it. The group consisting of five boys, four on one side and one on the other, lost coordination while throwing it, resulting in the log falling on Cherian, who was lifting it alone on the other side. The log knocked him to the ground leading to severe injury.

He was immediately taken to Williamnagar Civil Hospital but was declared ‘brought dead’.

Jesuit Education Council suspends Principal

The Education Council of Jesuit Society of Northeast India have also suspended the Principal of Loyola School, Dawagre, East Garo Hills, Fr. Melwyn Fernandes, SJ, indefinitely following the death of Cherian Bimik M Sangma.

Also read: Jesuit Education Council suspends Loyola School Principal

The Council has also assured full cooperation in the ongoing investigation into the case.