Sleeping student hacked to death

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

CLASSES at the Mt Diamond Adventist Secondary School in Central have been suspended following the brutal killing of a student, The National reports.

The Grade 10 male student, who was not named, was hacked to death in his sleep early on Sunday morning.

Central provincial education board chairman Titus Romano Hatagen said yesterday the student was attacked by a group of men on the verandah of his home, which is located along the road to the school.

His body was chopped to pieces, Hatagen added.

NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop confirmed the death yesterday but could not provide details.

The central education division was also not able to provide further details about the circumstances leading to the student’s death.

However, Hatagen said he had cancelled classes for three days until Thursday.

“Due to safety reasons and fear among the staff and students, the provincial education board has approved cancellation of classes,” he said.

He said the board expected students, who had left the school, to return tomorrow.

Hatagen assured parents that police were investigating the killing and were closely monitoring developments in the surrounding communities.

“I appeal to parents not to withdraw their children from the school and staff and students should not interfere with investigations,” he said.

The Mt Diamond Adventist Secondary School principal could not be reached for comments.

The boarding school is located in the Kairuku-Hiri electorate, inland from Tubusereia village, off the Magi Highway.