Unable To Attend Online Classes, Kerala Girl Kills Self

MALAPPURAM: In an extremely unfortunate incident, a class nine Dalit student committed suicide by setting herself on fire allegedly over not being able to attend online classes as none from her family had a smartphone. The state government began online classes from Monday.

The incident occurred at nearby Valancherryon Monday evening. Devika, 14, committed suicide by setting herself on fire on Monday evening near her home.

Her father, Balakishnan, said that she was a bright student and was nervous as the family's television set had been defunct for long and none at home had a smartphone. Her grandmother said Devika was upset and depressed unable to attend the digital class. Devika was missing since afternoon andher charred body was found at a spot not very far from her home, police told a news agency.

A casual worker, Balakrishnan, had been undergoing serious financial difficulties following the lockdown.

The online sessions named ''First Bell'' are telecast through VICTERS Channel, under the State General Education Department, for classes 1 to 12 from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM on weekdays.

Malappuram SP Abdul Kareem said preliminary investigation confirmed her death as suicide.

Education Minister Prof C Raveendran has sought a report about the incident.