Kottayam: The classmates of K. Lakshmi who was set ablaze by a former student, Aadarsh, on the Gandhinagar campus of the School of Medical Education (SME) on Wednesday are yet to recover from the shock of the tragic event. “We never expected such a sudden attack. While he came to the classroom, we were busy with our work, including drawing. He barged into the room and poured petrol over him and Lakshmi. We ran out fearing for our lives and Lakshmi rushed to the library room. Before anyone realised what was happening, he lit the cigarette lighter,” said a student who witnessed the incident.
Dr S. Rejiram, director of SME, told DC that the management or even the teachers were unaware of the issues between the two. He said that the entry of outsiders to the SME will be restricted from Monday and the classes will be conducted under strict supervision. Counselling will be given to the students from Monday onwards. Ettumanur CI C.J. Martin told DC that the incident was a result of sudden provocation as Lakshmi refused to speak to Aadarsh who felt insulted and wanted to take revenge. An abate charge-sheet will be presented against Adarsh, he added. Bodies of Adarsh and Lekshmi were handed over to relatives after a post-mortem examination on Thursday.
