12-yr-old found dead in school hostel

A 12-year-old boy was found dead at a hostel in Suparibagan area of Tangail town on Monday evening.

The dead, Shihab Hossain, son of expat Ilias Hossain of Sakhipur upazila, was a student of Sristy School.

His family alleged he was murdered and blamed the school authorities for it.

They, however, claimed Shihab was found hanging from the shower of the hostel's seventh floor washroom.

The authorities rushed him to Tangail General Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Speaking to reporters at the hospital, the victim's cousin Nahid Hossain said Shihab was a meritorious student and was admitted to the school as a residential student four months ago.

On Monday, his teachers called the family and said Shihab was sick.

When the family went to the school, they were told to go to the hospital instead, he said.

Shihab's grandfather Ismail Hossain said that when family members would call the hostel to speak to Shihab, they were never allowed. 

Asked how such a young child could die by suicide, like the school authorities are saying, Mohammad Shahid, a teacher, said, "It could happen as times have changed."

Sarwar Hosain, additional superintendent of police (Sadar Circle) in Tangail, said that a case was being filed in this regard. "The reason behind the death could be known only after the autopsy."

Many guardians of the students have urged the authorities to conduct a proper investigation into Shihab's death. They also reported instances of mental and physical torture.

The Daily Star, however, could not independently verify the claims.