A 14-year-old boy from Melaghar, Tripura, died after allegedly setting himself on fire following humiliation and assault by a neighbour. Police have registered a case under BNS, and a manhunt is underway to arrest the accused.
A tragic incident from Tripura’s Melaghar subdivision has shocked the local community after a 14-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide following humiliation and physical assault by a neighbour. The minor, identified as Nayan Saha, succumbed to severe burn injuries late Wednesday night at GB Pant Hospital in Agartala.
Nayan was a resident of the Padmadhepa area under Melaghar Municipal Council’s Ward No. 5. He was the son of Pradip Saha, a daily wage worker who has been struggling with acute financial hardship. According to police and family sources, the incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, eventually leading to the boy taking the extreme step of setting himself on fire.
As per the complaint lodged by the victim’s family, Pradip Saha and his son had gone to a nearby market earlier that day. On their return journey, Nayan reportedly requested his father to buy something. Due to his poor financial condition, Pradip was unable to fulfill the request, leading to a verbal argument between the two.
During the argument, Pradip allegedly expressed his frustration to a neighbour, Dulal Sutradhar, regarding his son’s behavior. The situation reportedly escalated when Sutradhar intervened and allegedly assaulted the minor with a hard teakwood stick. The attack is said to have caused bleeding injuries to Nayan’s leg, leaving him physically hurt and emotionally shattered.
Deeply distressed by the humiliation and violence, the boy returned home. A short while later, in an apparent act of desperation, he poured a flammable substance over himself and set himself ablaze. Neighbours rushed to his aid after hearing his screams and immediately took him to Melaghar Hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was referred to GB Pant Hospital, where doctors made intensive efforts to save his life.
Despite prolonged medical intervention, Nayan succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday night. His body was brought back to Melaghar on Thursday morning, triggering widespread grief and anger among residents of the Padmadhepa locality.
Following the death, Pradip Saha lodged a formal complaint at Melaghar Police Station against Dulal Sutradhar. Police have registered a case under Sections 117 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused is currently absconding, and law enforcement agencies have launched a search operation to trace and arrest him.
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The family of the deceased is living in extreme poverty. Nayan’s mother works as a domestic help in Agartala to support the household, while the family struggles to meet basic needs. Local residents have expressed outrage over the incident and demanded swift justice, calling for strict action against those responsible.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over child safety, mental health, and the consequences of violence and humiliation inflicted on minors. Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation is underway.
