Kollam:  Mithun, 13, who was electrocuted at his school, was cremated on Saturday as hundreds gathered to bid him farewell. His younger brother, Sujin, lit the funeral pyre. Mithun was electrocuted on the premises of Thevalakkara Boys High School in Kollam on July 17 by a live wire. 

His body was kept at his home for public viewing at 1:30 pm. Mithun's mother, Suja, who was in Turkey and arrived early this morning, broke down upon seeing her son- a sight that moved people to tears. Suja had moved to Kuwait three months ago for employment and was in Turkey with her employers when tragedy struck. 

Earlier, people lined the streets from Sasthamkotta Taluk Hospital to Thevalakkara Boys High School to bid a final farewell to Mithun. His body was kept at his school for public viewing, where his teachers and classmates gathered to see him for the last time. His teacher and grandmother fainted after seeing his body, and both were rushed to the Sasthamkotta Taluk Hospital.  Mithun's funeral is scheduled to be held at 5 pm. 

Just hours before the accident on Thursday, Suja had spoken to her husband, Manu, and Mithun via video call. The family, residents of Valiyapadam in West Kallada, had recently enrolled Mithun in Thevalakkara Boys High School after he transferred from Pattakadavu School. He had joined the new school only a month ago and had already earned a spot on the football team.

Amid mounting public outrage over the incident, the school’s headmistress, S Suja, was suspended. The school management acted on the directions of General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who cited lapses in ensuring student safety. Senior teacher G Molly has been appointed as interim headmistress.

Mithun’s death has sparked widespread protests across the state. Student and youth organisations including the KSU, Yuva Morcha, and Revolutionary Youth Front staged demonstrations at the school and in Palakkad. BJP workers also marched to the office of Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty. Police used water cannons to disperse the protestors.

Minister Sivankutty, who visited the school along with Finance Minister K N Balagopal, announced multiple support measures for the bereaved family, including ₹3 lakh as immediate financial aid, a new house for the family through Bharat Scouts and Guides and free education up to Class 12 for Mithun’s younger sibling.

The Kerala State Electricity Board has handed over a ₹5 lakh compensation cheque to the family, although it clarified that departmental action would be taken only after the safety commissioner’s report is received.