Published Jul 14, 2023 | 2:48 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2023 | 2:49 PM
The boy's body was found near the hostel on Tuesday. (Creative Commons)
Two boys were arrested on Thursday, 13 July, for allegedly murdering a schoolmate, said the police in the Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh.
The boys were reportedly trying to flee the village when Jeelugumilli Circle Inspector B Venkateswar Rao picked them up during a routine vehicle check.
The arrested boys were Class 10 students, residing at the tribal welfare hostel in Puliramudugudem village along with the slain nine-year-old student, who was studying in Class 4.
The accused boys will be produced before a juvenile justice court.
The younger boy, Nainagogula Akhil Vardhan Reddy, was found dead on the school premises on Tuesday.
A letter found on the body warned of a similar fate to others who dared to stay in the hostel.
“Bratakaalanukaunna vaallu vellipondi endukante ika nundi ilaantivi jarugutoo untai (Whoever wants to survive leave this place as such killings will continue),” the letter threatened.
The police registered a case based on a complaint by the deceased boy’s father.
It was learnt that the boy had gone to sleep in the dormitory as usual on Monday night.
Around midnight, another boy noticed someone entering the dormitory through the window, and opening the door to allow another person in.
Once both were inside the dormitory, they took Akhil away. The witness did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear.
The next day, he came to know that the boy had been killed. The police said a previous enmity might have led to the crime.
There were contusion marks around the neck and a small scratch near the right eye, the police said.
The deceased boy’s older brother, too, was studying in the same school and staying in the same hostel.
“The parents and the brother of the deceased couldn’t disclose any useful information. They didn’t suspect anyone,” the police said.
