Kannur: The police arrested nine persons, including the Assistant Education Officer, Thalassery, and eight teachers of MM High School, New Mahe, on Friday in connection with the drowning of a student during aquatic competitions at a temple pond here on August 14.
The arrested are Thalassery south AEO P.P. Sanakan, teachers Abdul Naseer, Muhammed Zachariah, P. Manoharan, V.J. Jayamol, P. Sheena, Sofian John and Sudhakaran Pilla.
They were granted bail after a police team led by Thalassery principal sub-inspector M. Anil arrested them in the morning. An investigation had found that the incident in which Hrithik Raj of 9th standard drowned occurred due to lack of alertness by the accused. The case was registered under Section 304 of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder).
The competition was organised by the school games association of Thalassery educational district for the schools that come under three sub-districts. Locals protested against the competition held during incessant rain. Eyewitness said that the pond at Jagannatha temple had unprecedented level of water due to heavy rain. Besides, no adequate safety measures were ensured.
Hrithik went below the water level around 10.15 a.m. and the body was fished out after one-and-a-half hours. Though the pond was the venue for the swimming competition for many years, the organizers totally ignored the water level this time.
