A 15-year-old boy studying in Class 10 was allegedly assaulted inside his school van by armed assailants on the Meerut-Hapur highway near Hajipur village on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred as the boy was returning from his board exam at a school centre in Shastri Nagar, where he was accompanied by approximately 30 other students. According to police, the attackers intercepted the van, forced the driver to stop, and boarded the vehicle to hold the students at gunpoint.

Attack Details and Injuries

The assailants allegedly blocked the van, pointed a gun at the driver, and boarded the vehicle. They attempted to drag the boy out and assaulted him with an intent to kill. The boy sustained injuries to his head and back and remains hospitalized. A video of the incident, secretly recorded by another student inside the van, shows the attackers repeatedly punching and kicking the boy in his back and abdomen.

The boy’s father, Yogesh Tyagi, a local farmer, said he was on a phone call with his son when the attack happened. He heard his son’s screams for help but could do nothing. ‘I was on a phone call with my son when the attack happened. I heard his screams for help but could do nothing,’ Tyagi said.

Background and Police Response

According to the police, the assault was linked to a dispute between students that had been ongoing for six months. The conflict reportedly began after a comment made during a mobile chat. The matter had previously been taken to the police station, where a compromise was reached. However, the dispute apparently escalated into violence on Wednesday.

Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family, police registered an FIR under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 191 (rioting), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 351 (criminal intimidation) against two named accused and other unidentified individuals. One of the accused is reportedly the victim’s classmate. City SP Ayush Vikram Singh said efforts are ongoing to arrest the accused and ascertain the motive behind the attack.

Impact on Students and Parents

The attack has raised concerns among parents and educators about the safety of students commuting to and from schools. Many parents in the area expressed fear and anger over the incident, calling for stricter security measures and better monitoring of student interactions. ‘This is a shocking and terrifying incident that should not be taken lightly,’ said one parent, who requested anonymity. ‘Our children are not safe anymore.’

The school van incident has also drawn attention from local authorities, who have been urged to investigate the circumstances leading up to the attack. Officials said they are working closely with the police to ensure the safety of students and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

City SP Ayush Vikram Singh emphasized that the police are treating the case with the utmost seriousness and are following all legal procedures to identify and apprehend the accused. ‘We are committed to ensuring the safety of students and will take all necessary steps to bring the culprits to justice,’ he said.

The incident has also prompted calls for increased awareness about the dangers of online communication among students and the need for better conflict resolution mechanisms in schools. Educators and parents are now urging schools to implement more strong measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.