Last farewell to Vasantha Piriya

NIBONG TEBAL: Friends and classmates of 14-year-old M. Vasantha Piriya, who was accused by a teacher of stealing a mobile phone, gave her a heartfelt send-off during her funeral.

A classmate who used to sit beside her was seen sobbing during the ceremony.

He said students had seen the teacher confronting Vasantha Piriya outside the school hall.

“The whole class saw her being punished, and it was hard to believe as she was a good student who completed all her work and had no trouble in school.

“The last thing she said to me was that she did not take the phone, that’s all,” said the 14-year-old.

On Jan 24, the teacher allegedly accused and reprimanded Vasantha Piriya for stealing her iPhone 6 at the school before sending her home later.

After arriving home, Vasantha Piriya’s father, former cook R. Muniandy, 52, went out with the teacher to discuss the matter.

Later, he broke into Vasantha Piriya’s room when his calls went unanswered.

He found her unconscious and hanging from some piping.

She left a note to her parents saying she did not steal the phone.

She was rushed to Sungai Bakap Hospital before being transferred to Seberang Jaya Hospital where she passed away on Thursday.

Hundreds of friends and family members came together to pay their last respects to Vasantha Piriya yesterday.

Students from the school, located opposite the village, arrived in their uniforms.

Several teachers accompanied them but declined to speak to reporters.

As the hearse left the house along its way to a cemetery in Changkat, it passed by the school where crowds led by Malaysian Tamilar Kural president David Marshel and its secretary M. Satees chanted “We want justice” and “Sack the teacher”.

She was buried at about 3.30pm in a ceremony witnessed by only close friends and family.

Her father sobbed uncontrollably as priests performed the last rites before placing her body into the grave.

In a press conference later, David urged the police to investigate the cause of Vasantha Piriya’s death.

South Seberang Prai OCPD Supt Shafee Abdul Samad, meanwhile, refuted claims that the teacher’s handphone has been recovered.

Those in need of a sympathetic ear can call Befrienders in the Klang Valley (03-7956 8145) and Penang (04-281 5161/281 1108). They can also e-mail [e-mail].