Denied smartphone, minor boy ends life

A 17-year-old boy committed suicide in Baleswar district on Friday night after his family did not buy a smartphone for him during Dussehra.

The deceased was the only son of Sunil Swain of Shantinagar village under Bhograi block in the district.

The boy had got addicted to Free Fire mobile game soon after he completed the HSC examinations. He had earlier sought a costly smartphone from his parents, who work as labourers in Bangalore.

The boy was staying with his parents in Bangalore and had recently come to their native place for Dussehra celebration, locals said.