13-year-old allegedly stabs classmate while playing football at a school in Wangdue

A 13-year-old boy allegedly stabbed his classmate at a school in Wangdue on 26th September.

The Bhutanese contacted the school, where a school authority said the incident occurred during normal class timing. He said the students had become sleepy and asked the teacher if they could go outside to refresh themselves.

Following that, he said, “The 13-year-old suspect and the victim were playing football on the ground near their classroom. An argument broke out, and the suspect stabbed the victim on his back.”

The school authority said the injury was minor, with the stab wound located on the back, below the shoulder.

The students were reportedly still wearing their school uniforms when they went outside. This means the suspect had a pocket knife inside his gho.

The school also clarified reports that three students were injured in the incident. The authority said that, apart from the victim, two other students who tried to separate the two boys sustained minor injuries to their hands.

“Three students were injured, but the other two were trying to separate the suspect and the victim,” he said.

“The school reported the incident to the police immediately,” the school authority said, noting that pocket knives are considered weapons and are not permitted to be carried to school.

The school authority added that all the students involved in the incident are minors, aged between 13 and 14 years.

At the administrative level, the school authority said the school is in discussion with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) regarding the relocation of the student involved in the incident.

The Bhutanese also contacted the police to ask whether the case had been forwarded to the MoESD. The police said the case has not been forwarded to the ministry.

“We have not forwarded the case to the ministry. If required, we may forward the suspect to court, though the case may be disposed of through diversion as he is only 13 years old,” the police said.

The police said the student is not in detention.

“He is now released on surety, not detained. However, the injury is not serious as per the medical report,” the police said.

The incident has also raised questions about how students are able to bring pocket knives or other potentially harmful objects into school premises. In this case, the school said the knife was carried inside the student’s gho and that such items are not permitted.

While the school is discussing the possible relocation of the student involved, the police said the case may be considered for diversion given the student’s age.