School student killed in clashes at Assam tea estate

A school student was killed and 14 others, including nine policemen, were injured in a clash, which led to police firing in a tea estate in Assam's Jorhat district, police sources said on Monday.

A quarrel took place between a village defence party and some people, who came in a vehicle, at Hemlai Tea estate late on Sunday night.

The police tried to resolve the issue after being called to the tea estate. A policeman was attacked with an axe. The mob then began throwing stones and resorted to violence.

The police fired in the air to disperse the mob and in the melee, a 14-year old schoolboy was killed and two other students were critically injured, along with nine policemen and three civilians.

Senior police officials, including Jorhat Superintendent of Police Sanjukta Parashar, rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.

The local people blocked the Dhodar Ali road in Jorhat with the body of the school student, Sujit Naik.

Parashar said that the incident "was unfortunate and caused by a misunderstanding".

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the family of the dead schoolboy and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

The chief minister ordered an inquiry and deputed the parliamentary secretary, home, to visit the spot and evaluate the situation.