
Shillong, Jan 21: Care, compassion and vigil from all quarters could have prevented loss of life of a student in the city.
The body of 17-year-old student was found hanging inside the classroom of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Jail Road in the city on January 24 evening.
A video of the incident was unethically circulated a few days later thereby grabbing public attention.
The girl was staying with her grandmother at 4th Furlong, Polo after her father left her mother, who subsequently remarried and has a child.
The grandmother, who came to visit her daughter residing in Zigzag Road, Rilbong, said that her granddaughter was brilliant in studies and ruled out stress due to examination as reason for the incident.
The grandmother, a roadside vendor, supported the girl in whatever way possible.
Principal speaks
Principal of the school C Shallam said the student of class XI arts, who has been studying in the school from class KG till date, was found hanging in class XI arts class room.

The school was conducting examinations in nearby hall for the class XI students to be promoted to class XII.
On January 24, she completed Alternative English examination in the morning shift but was absent in the afternoon shift for the next examination.
“She came 15 to 20 minutes late for the first examination, but completed the exam and left by saying she is not feeling well”, said an invigilator.
The invigilators who were overseeing the second examination did not see her in the examination hall in the afternoon.
Though the girl did not attempt the second examination, she was on the school premises. She did not return home according to the relatives.
A frantic grandmother reached the school around 4.30 pm to know the whereabouts of the girl.

The grandmother said as she used to have food together with her granddaughter after school hours, the delay had prompted her to rush to the school after informing other relatives.
As the students were not allowed to use mobile phones in the school, direct contact with her was not possible.
After a search, it was found that the class room was locked from inside. “The matter was immediately informed to Sadar Police Station and necessary steps were taken by the police and the body was taken to Civil Hospital, Shillong by the police”, said the principal.
The police said the principal informed the Sadar Police Station about the incident at 7 pm.
During a visit to the school by this reporter on January 30, the principal, teachers and chowkidars gave details about the incident.
Classroom unattended
To a question why the classroom was not locked on time which would have prevented the incident, one of the chowkidars said, “We lock the class rooms one by one and it takes time too”.

He does not know how long the class room remained opened and at what time the student entered.
While the examinations are being held in the separate hall, the reply to the question on the necessity to open the classroom reminded vague but the school authorities said the students do enter their class rooms as there are no restrictions.
The low overhead metal bars made it easy for the distressed victim to take the extreme step of ending life.
Though there is a CCTV camera in the examination hall, such provision is not available in class rooms.
Good in studies but seldom talked
The school teachers, relatives and neighbours found her energetic and good in studies but she seldom talked.
The victim was pessimistic in her suicide note as it indicated that problems have no solution though people proclaim that troubles will vanish but the reality is different. Though the police do not suspect any foul play, the materials collected as part of investigation were sent for FSL examination after registering an unnatural death case.
Anguished over video
The video of the incident circulated on January 28 on WhatsApp has anguished the school authorities, family and others who are concerned about it.
In the video, many were seen recording with their mobile phones in the presence of police personnel who entered the class room for examination of the body.

When asked about counsellors in the school to help the students in distress, the principal said, “Officially appointed councillors are not there , but we do engage a councillor”.
The school set up in1886 needs uplift in terms of renovation and reconstruction as many facilities are lacki
The school authorities wish to install CCTV cameras in class rooms but assistance from the government is necessary.