Mother learns of Mithun’s death during Turkey visit, funeral after her arrival

Kollam: Suja was in Turkey with her employers when she received a devastating video call from her family in Kerala on Thursday night. On the other end of the line came the unimaginable news: her 13-year-old son, Mithun, had died after being electrocuted at school. Suja, who had moved to Kuwait three months ago for work, was travelling abroad when the tragedy occurred. It remains uncertain whether she will be able to return directly to Kerala. The funeral will be held only after she arrives. Just hours before the incident, Suja had spoken to her husband, Manu, and their son Mithun over the phone. The couple has another son, Suchin.

Mithun Manu, a Class 8 student at Thevalakkara Boys High School, was the son of Manu and Suja, residents of Valiyapadam in West Kallada. He had recently transferred from Pattakadavu School as part of his high school admission and had joined the new school just a month ago. Mithun even earned a spot on the school football team.

“I dropped him off at school in the morning. He left saying he wanted a new pair of shoes. A little while later, I got a call from the hospital. I’ve lost my son, that’s all I know,” said Mithun’s father, Manu, before breaking down in tears.

Manu works as a daily wage labourer. The family had applied for a house under the LIFE Mission housing scheme but were still waiting for approval.
The incident occurred when Mithun climbed onto the rooftop of the school’s cycle shed to retrieve a sandal that had fallen. He reportedly used a classroom bench to reach the roof, lost his balance, and came into contact with a live wire, resulting in a fatal electric shock. Mithun usually commuted to school by bus, but on that particular day, his father had dropped him off on a scooter.

Amid massive protests against the school over safety violations, Principal S Suja stated that the issue had already been brought to the attention of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). The KSEB had responded saying the line would soon be shifted to a cable, and the school was waiting for that to happen.

Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty added that just a week ago, the KSEB had sought permission from the school management to convert the line to a cable and to install a pole underneath the line. The management had responded saying the matter would be discussed after the next management committee meeting.

Meanwhile, school manager and CPM’s Mainagappally East local secretary, Thulaseedharan Pillai, said the line has been there for a long time and no danger was perceived since no one had previously needed to go near it.