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Speaking to The Daily Star, schoolteacher Md Ismail Hossain, who was present at the scene, said Mehedi was first taken to a private clinic and later to Chatkhil Upazila Health Complex in Noakhali. He also could not confirm whether the student was alive at the time of rescue.

Shahidul Alam Nayon, resident medical officer at Chatkhil Upazila Health Complex, said Mehedi was brought dead to the hospital around 7:25pm on Tuesday.

“We then informed Chatkhil Police Station,” the doctor said.

Sub-Inspector Sekandar Mollah of the police station said officers recovered the body and sent it to Noakhali General Hospital morgue for an autopsy.

“Black marks were found on the back and neck of the body. The cause of death will be known after the autopsy report,” he said.

In its statement, the school said the alleged torture had placed Mehedi under severe mental pressure, which might have led him to take his own life. However, the statement did not mention any individual by name.

As news of Mehedi’s death spread on Tuesday night, hundreds of guardians and locals gathered at the academy, teacher Ismail said.

Ramganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kazi Atiqur Rahman said he and police personnel rushed to the institution and brought the situation under control.

“Under the circumstances, the academy has been closed for the next seven days on an emergency basis,” he said.

Meanwhile, relatives of the victim and locals staged a demonstration outside Ramganj Police Station around 1:00pm yesterday, bringing Mehedi’s body with them.

They demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and maximum punishment.

The academy’s principal, Khondokar Abdul Mannan, could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

Firoz Uddin Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of Ramganj Police Station, said police were investigating the incident although no case had been filed as of 9:00pm yesterday.