Kolkata ragging: After protests over girl's death, school principal arrested

After a class V student died after being allegedly ragged in school, the principal has offered her resignation following protests. But parents are not convinced.

The victim's mother had demanded that action be taken against the principal, the doctor who allegedly administered the wrong injection and the seniors who had ragged her.

Guardians of students on Thursday had ransacked the office premises of Christ Church Girls High School in Dum Dum after the death of the victim.

The guardians had entered the school premises and ransacked office furniture and other equipment demanding punishment of those responsible for the death of Oindrila Das (11).

Oindrila Das, a student of Christ Church School in Dum Dum on the outskirts of the state capital, died on Wednesday a week after she was allegedly locked up inside the school toilet by some of her seniors who demanded money from her. They reportedly asked her for Rs100.

She was shortly brought out of the toilet by a sweeper after hearing her screams, who later took her home.

Oindrila slipped in a state of shock forcing her parents to admit her in a nursing home where she died yesterday.

The school principal had denied any knowledge of the incident. She has now said that the matter is being investigated.

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School principal arrested

School principal resigns. After angry protests by parents, the principal of the school has offered her resignation letter. But parents want the resignation on the school letterhead. They say they are not convinced with the resignation written "on a white paper".

Victim's mother asks for action. The victim's mother told a news channel that she wants action against the school principal, the doctor who was allegedly negligent, and the three seniors accused of ragging Oindrila. She also said that she will never get her daughter back.

Education minister orders probe. West Bengal Education minister Bratya Basu has ordered a probe. "Whatever happened is shocking and we have ordered a probe into the circumstances which caused the unfortunate incident," Basu said.

Protesters demand principal's resignation. Protesters reportedly refused to leave the school, which they had gheraoed, even after principal Helen Sarkar apologised. They demanded her resignation.

"The principal is responsible for her death. She should be arrested," one of the parents said, as others laid siege to the school premises.

Claiming that similar incidents have happened with other junior girls in the school, the parents and guardians accused the principal of inaction, despite full knowledge of the incidents.

Mamata Banerjee assures action. The mother of the victim reportedly had a word with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"The chief minister today called up Oindrila's mother and expressed shock and grief over the girl's death, and assured proper action," the victim's uncle Alokesh Das said.

Parents allege medical negligence. Oindrila Das's parents also alleged that their daughter was administered the wrong injection.

Meanwhile, a huge contingent of policemen had to be deployed near the school.

(With agency inputs)