Delhi schoolboy struck by javelin is dead

Roshan Lama, a Class 6 student at a government school in south Delhi, who was injured 12 days ago when a javelin thrown by a schoolmate hit him in the head, died Monday while undergoing treatment, police said.

Lama was under treatment in AIIMS Trauma Centre, and on ventilator.

"At around 7 a.m., he took his last breath," a police officer said.

Lama was on the school grounds of the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in south Delhi Oct 1 when a misdirected javelin thrown by a Class 12 student hit him, piercing his skull and causing a deep wound on his ear, police said.

A witness said the boy was attempting to save friends when he was struck by the javelin.

Police arrested two physical training instructors (PTI) of the school, identified as Sushil Kumar Sharma and Jitesh Chawla, after finding that they had been negligent in their duties.

The student who hurled the javelin was also apprehended.

Police said Lama's body was handed over to his family after post-mortem.

Two days after the incident, around 200 of Lama's schoolmates and relatives staged a protest in the premises of the school. Authorities were forced to keep the school closed for a day.

Some students pelted stones at passing vehicles, damaging a school bus. Many private vehicles were also vandalised. Following the intervention of senior police officers, the protesters were pacified and the situation was brought under control.

Suraj Lama, the father of the boy and a driver, said he wanted the school principal arrested.

"I want the school principal, Niranjan Lal Sharma, to see what it is like behind bars. As two teachers have already been arrested and the accused juvenile was also apprehended, why has the principal been spared? Why should he escape responsibility for an incident in a school he heads," said Suraj Lama.