Alappuzha, Kerala:
Police have taken into custody a 15-year-old for allegedly murdering his classmate inside the school premises.
The body of Legin, a class X student, was found inside the St George Higher Secondary school compound at Muttar on Monday night. There was a deep cut on his neck and his head battered with a stone lying nearby.
"The accused fled the district immediately after the incident. He was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon from Kottayam. He will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on Wednesday,"Alappuzha Deputy Superintendent of Police K Maheshkumar said.
"We have recovered a blood-stained knife and clothes smeared with blood from the accused," he added.
According to police, the accused told them that he was planning "revenge" on Legin ever since a clash between them towards the end of the previous academic year. Legin allegedly beat up the accused after the latter complained to the teacher.
The school re-opened for vacation classes for tenth standard students on Monday. A few hours after the school ended, the accused took Legin to a secluded place within the school premises.
Police say the accused stabbed Legin with a small knife while covering his mouth with his hand to prevent him from screaming. Legin resisted and in the process suffered a deep wound in the neck. The accused then hit Legin's head with a stone and left the scene after ensuring the victim had died.
The accused tried to flee to his relatives in north Kerala. But he was taken into custody at the Changanacherry railway station in neighbouring Kottayam district on Tuesday.
School authorities said the accused had a history of violent behaviour. He had often brought in knives concealed in his bag to terrify his classmates and was warned many times against this.
"The boy (accused) did not enjoy a good environment at home. His father had married thrice and he was living with his stepmother. His mother was staying with his sister in Kasaragod. His neighbours have told us that the boy was found usually frustrated and often displayed violent behaviour," said a police officer, who is part of the investigation team.
Legin's parents, who live in nearby Thiruvalla, are in a state of shock. "They (Legin's parents) are farm labourers and Legin has two siblings. The family is completely shattered after the incident," the police official said.