Tripura, Jan 30: A tragic incident has shaken the Padmadhepa area under Ward No. 5 of the Melaghar Municipal Council, where a 14-year-old boy lost his life after allegedly setting himself on fire following an incident of assault and humiliation by a neighbour.
The deceased minor has been identified as Nayan Saha, son of Pradip Saha, a resident of Padmadhepa who is struggling financially. According to preliminary reports, the incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when the boy sustained severe burn injuries after pouring inflammable substance on himself.
Local residents rushed to help and initially took the critically injured boy to Melaghar Sub-Divisional Hospital. Due to the seriousness of his condition, he was later referred to GB Pant Hospital in Agartala, where doctors made all possible efforts to save him. However, Nayan succumbed to his injuries late Wednesday night.
On Thursday, the body was brought back to Melaghar, following which the victim’s family lodged a formal complaint at Melaghar Police Station against a local resident, Dulal Sutradhar. Acting on the complaint, police registered a case under Sections 117 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused is reportedly absconding, and police have launched a search operation to apprehend him.
As per the complaint, Pradip Saha and his son had gone to the local market on Wednesday. While returning home, the boy reportedly asked his father to buy something, which the father could not afford due to financial constraints. This led to an argument between them. The father then allegedly raised the issue with neighbour Dulal Sutradhar. It is alleged that Sutradhar reacted violently and assaulted the minor with a hard wooden stick, causing serious injuries and bleeding to his leg.
Traumatised by the incident and deeply distressed, the boy returned home and later took the extreme step, leading to the fatal outcome.
The Saha family is known to be living in severe hardship. Nayan’s mother works as a domestic help in Agartala to support the household.
The incident has left the entire Padmadhepa locality in shock, triggering widespread grief and anger among residents, who have demanded strict action against the accused and justice for the deceased child.
