By Raheem Khan
Udaipur, August 19: Udaipur is gripped by grief and tension following the tragic death of student Devraj, who succumbed to his injuries today after being stabbed at his school four days ago. Despite the best efforts of doctors at MB Hospital, Udaipur, Devraj could not be saved, plunging his family into mourning. As the news broke, his parents and sister were inconsolable, demanding swift justice for the culprits responsible for their loss.
Initially refusing to accept Devraj’s body, the family relented only after extensive discussions involving community leaders, local representatives, and police officials. The hospital premises have been fortified with heavy police presence to maintain order as negotiations took place.
The bereaved family and community initially demanded ₹1 crore in compensation, a government job, and security for the family. After two hours of negotiations, an agreement was reached to provide the family with ₹51 lakh in financial assistance, a contractual job for one family member, and legal action under the SC/ST Act. The administration has promised to propose a government job for the family member to higher authorities. With these assurances, the postmortem process has begun.
In response to the escalating situation, private schools across Udaipur have declared a holiday for tomorrow. Additionally, to curb the spread of rumors, the administration has extended the internet shutdown in the city by 24 hours.
The tragic incident has drawn the attention of prominent state leaders, who have expressed their condolences and called for peace. Devraj’s body remains in the mortuary, with the family demanding capital punishment for the accused.
Preparations for Devraj’s last rites were underway at the Ashoknagar crematorium, but the process has been delayed due to the ongoing discussions and the need for heightened security measures.
Earlier today, around 3:30 PM, District Collector Arvind Poswal and SP Yogesh Goyal held a meeting with the hospital administration and other officials to coordinate the response. The police have increased security across the city, setting up barricades and deploying forces at key intersections and sensitive areas to prevent unrest. The markets in the inner city were closed by evening, although shops in the outer areas remain open.
The incident that led to this tragedy occurred on August 16, when a student in a government school attacked another with a knife, triggering widespread unrest in the city. The accused, a minor, and his father were detained by the police, and their rented home was demolished by authorities. Devraj was admitted to MB Hospital with severe injuries and was on a ventilator until his death today.
The situation remains tense as the city mourns the loss of a young life, with the authorities on high alert to prevent further disturbances.
