Tiruppur District Police have denied reports that a Class 8 student from Kunnathur was abused based on caste and pushed into a burning garbage pit by classmates. In a press release on January 30, 2025, police clarified that the injured boy is a 13-year-old from Merkupathi and attends NRKN Government School, Kunnathur. Police explained that the incident was not caste-related but happened during a game among students. Normally, students help clean the school after classes, disposing of trash in a designated pit. On the incident day, a fire was already burning in the garbage pit. While playfully pushing each other, two students held the boy by his hands and legs and swung him. This caused him to lose balance and fall into the burning pit. Other students quickly rescued him, poured water on his burns, and alerted teachers. The boy was taken to a government hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that there was no intent to harm, and the accident was not motivated by any discrimination. They emphasized it was an unfortunate event during play, not a caste-based attack.