School Closed for Seven Days After Student’s Death Sparks Protests and Police Station Siege

Authorities in Lakshmipur have launched an investigation into the death of a teenage student following allegations that he was severely assaulted by senior students at a residential dormitory, an incident that has sparked widespread anger and prompted the temporary closure of an educational institution.

The victim, identified as 15-year-old Mehedi Hasan, was an eighth-grade student at Farid Ahmed Bhuiya Academy in Ramganj upazila. His death has triggered protests among family members, local residents, and fellow students, who are demanding justice and the immediate arrest of those allegedly involved.

On Wednesday, relatives and residents gathered outside Ramganj Police Station with the student's body, staging a demonstration and calling for swift legal action. Protesters chanted slogans demanding accountability and expressed frustration over the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.

The situation remained tense for several hours before law enforcement officials assured demonstrators that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Following those assurances, the crowd dispersed and the immediate unrest subsided.

In response to the incident, academy authorities announced the closure of the institution for seven days. Officials said the decision was taken as an emergency measure to restore order on campus and prevent further unrest among students and the local community.

According to allegations made by the victim’s family, Mehedi was accused of stealing an iPhone that reportedly went missing from the student dormitory. Family members claim that several senior students summoned him to a room within the hostel on Tuesday evening, where he was physically assaulted in an attempt to force a confession.

The family further alleges that after the assault, efforts were made to portray the incident as a suicide. They claim the teenager was hanged after his death in an attempt to conceal the true circumstances surrounding the incident.

Sources within the institution, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the missing phone belonged to a college-level student and had disappeared several days earlier. According to those accounts, Mehedi was accused without conclusive evidence and was subsequently taken to another room by a group of senior students.

Reports suggest that as many as nine students may have been involved in the alleged assault. Following the incident, the accused individuals reportedly left the dormitory and remain unaccounted for.

After Mehedi was found unresponsive, teachers reportedly transported him to a nearby health complex, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Investigators examining the case said preliminary observations revealed visible marks on the victim’s body. Officials noted injuries on the back and neck, prompting authorities to send the body for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Police officials confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and that efforts are underway to locate and detain those suspected of involvement. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests, and a formal criminal case was still being processed at the time of reporting.

Local administration officials said tensions escalated further after reports of vandalism at the institution. Additional police personnel were deployed from the district headquarters to maintain law and order and prevent further disturbances.

The incident has reignited concerns about student safety, bullying, and violence within residential educational facilities. Education advocates have called for stronger supervision within dormitories and stricter measures to prevent abuse among students.

Community leaders and residents have demanded a transparent investigation, insisting that all individuals responsible be brought to justice regardless of their status or affiliation. Many have also called for institutional reforms to ensure similar tragedies do not occur in the future.

As investigators continue to gather evidence and await post-mortem findings, the death of Mehedi Hasan has left the local community in shock and mourning, with growing calls for accountability and improved protections for students living in residential educational environments.