Dibrugarh: The Dibrugarh district administration on Friday ordered an inquiry into an incident at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in which 12 Class VII students allegedly inflicted superficial cuts on their hands with blades removed from pencil sharpeners during a class break on Thursday.According to school sources, the incident occurred on Thursday when the students, treating the act as a “fun game”, removed the small blades fitted inside pencil sharpeners from their geometry boxes. The incident reportedly began after one student made a cut and challenged others to do the same.The cuts were superficial and did not result in serious injuries, although slight bleeding was reported. School authorities said eight of the 12 students had been given tetanus injections, while the remaining students were also being provided necessary medical care.Following the incident, Dibrugarh DC Bikram Kairi visited the school on Friday and took stock of the situation. Inspector of schools, Dibrugarh, Kabita Deka, also visited the institution.The district administration entrusted the inspector of schools with conducting a detailed inquiry into the incident.The order further directs Deka to examine “all relevant facts and circumstances relating to the incident” and submit a comprehensive inquiry report to the district commissioner within seven days of receiving the order.The district child protection officer, Dibrugarh, has been directed to provide necessary assistance and cooperation to the inspector of schools during the inquiry. The principal of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School has also been instructed to cooperate with and coordinate with the inspector of schools in connection with the inquiry.School authorities said a meeting with the parents of Class VII students would be held on Saturday. Counsellors from Dibrugarh University have also been called to interact with and counsel the students following the incident.“We are taking the matter seriously and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the students. The counselling and interaction with parents are important to understand the circumstances and ensure that such an incident does not recur,” a school source said.The district administration is also expected to facilitate counselling for the students and their parents as part of measures to address the incident and prevent its recurrence.
